Riesling Grand Cru Hengst 2022 – Kobrand Wine & Spirits

Overview / 2022

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France / Alsace

The Grand Cru Hengst is located on the south-eastern part of the Rotenberg hill in Wintzenheim. The red marl limestone geology always produced (and still does) great Gewurztraminer wines. Despite enjoying a warm and precocious micro-climate, the Hengst takes some time to gain sugar ripeness as the marl soils need more sun energy to warm up. The iron rich mother rock also favours good tannin ripeness, one of the reasons why the Hengst was also recently granted Grand Cru status for red wines. More recently, climate change allowed for more and more plantations of Riesling on this Grand Cru. So when we decided to replace some Gewurztraminer that were planted on the cooler eastern facing part of the Hengst, Riesling was an obvious choice (Pinot Noir would have been too!). Small crop in 2022 (some hail in June), slow and perfect ripeness, allowed for the production of a great dry Riesling.

Harvest Note

2022 avoided the severe frost conditions of the prior year and the vines grew rapidly in the Spring months. The dry and hot conditions kept disease to a minimum but adversely affected flowering and caused a significant reduction in the overall crop size. A few late storms brought needed moisture but also some isolated hail damage. Harvest occured from August 22 to September 20 according to each vineyard's situation.

Tasting Note

Pale gold colour. The nose is still restraint, almost austere, but revealing floral aromas underlined by the classic limestone tight citrus/mineral influence. It is showing nicely now! Delicate, palate at first, then the powerful Hengst terroir wakes up providing a long-lasting mouthfeel on the finish, ripe acidity, and a harmonious lively balance. Excellent length, attractive bitterness (ripe tannins). Already attractive today but will also last.

Technical Data

GRAPES: Riesling 100%

APPELLATION: Alsace Grand Cru AOC

PH: 3.15

ACIDITY: 4.0 g/l

ABV: 12.80%

AGING: 12 months in large foudres

MALOLACTIC FERMENTATION: Yes

RESIDUAL SUGAR: 2.1 g/l

Unique Selling Points

Certified Organic and Biodynamic
Tiny volumes and therefore quite rare, from red limestone marl soils
Unbroken winemaking lineage in Alsace since 1620
Bold structure lends an ageworthy element to this wine
96 points Suckling

Good wine is made by people who actually do everything they say they are doing.

Olivier Humbrecht MW, Winemaker