Domaine Zind-Humbrecht : Gewurztraminer Grand cru "Goldert" Doux 2018

Tasting notes and recommendations for the Gewurztraminer Grand cru "Goldert" Doux 2018 from Domaine Zind-Humbrecht

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a pale yellow to golden yellow hue, bright and clear.

Nose

The nose reveals delicate floral fragrances characteristic of the grape variety, with notes of rose and exotic fruits. With aeration, aromas of gingerbread and ripe fruit emerge, accompanied by subtle hints of nutmeg and white pepper. A discreet minerality completes this complex bouquet.

Palate

The attack on the palate is delicate and silky. The mid-palate reveals lovely volume and a harmonious structure, supported by subtle freshness. Yellow-fleshed fruit aromas dominate, with notes of pineapple, lychee, and stone fruits, evolving toward more spicy and mineral expressions. The finish opens with elegance, developing a fine length where mineral aromas bring added complexity.

Food and wine pairings

This Gewurztraminer Grand cru "Goldert" Doux 2018 pairs beautifully as an aperitif with foie gras, smoked salmon, or seafood platters. It also complements blue-veined cheeses such as Roquefort with great finesse. Its spicy aromatic profile makes it an ideal partner for Asian cuisine, particularly Chinese dishes with spices, sweet-and-sour preparations, and ginger-based dishes. It also enhances fruity desserts, ginger pastries, and those flavored with cinnamon or vanilla. Moroccan cuisine, mild coconut curries, fish in sauce, and white meats also make harmonious pairings.

Serving and cellaring

The Gewurztraminer Grand cru "Goldert" Doux 2018 can be enjoyed until around 2038. Cellaring will allow the wine to develop further complexity and integration.

An Alsace Gewurztraminer from a unique limestone terroir

The estate

The Domaine Zind-Humbrecht was established in 1959 following the union of Léonard Humbrecht and Geneviève Zind, bringing together two Alsatian winegrowing families. Based in Turckheim, near Colmar, the estate covers around 40 hectares spread across more than 100 parcels in six villages of Alsace. Olivier Humbrecht has managed the estate since 1989, becoming that same year the first Frenchman to earn the Master of Wine title. A pioneer of biodynamic viticulture in Alsace, the estate has been certified organic since 1998 and biodynamic since 2002. His son, Pierre-Émile Humbrecht, joined the estate in 2019, representing the thirteenth generation of the family. Yields are deliberately limited to 30–40 hectoliters per hectare.

The vineyard

The Grand Cru Goldert is located in Gueberschwihr in Alsace and is the only Alsatian Grand Cru entirely composed of marine oolitic limestone, formed from ancient oyster shell deposits. This unique soil offers excellent drainage and slow warming, promoting extended ripening. The vines are planted on east-facing slopes between 230 and 330 meters in altitude, benefiting from morning sunlight and afternoon protection. Domaine Zind-Humbrecht owns 0.9 hectares of this exceptional terroir. In 2020, the Gewurztraminer vines were uprooted and replanted with Muscat d’Alsace in 2023, making the 2018 vintage one of the last expressions of this terroir-grape combination.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for the Gewurztraminer Grand cru "Goldert" Doux 2018 are pressed as whole clusters over a period of 18 to 24 hours, allowing for gentle and optimal extraction of aromas. Fermentation proceeds slowly under temperature control using indigenous yeasts. The wine rests on its full lees for at least six months, followed by aging for 12 to 24 months after harvest. The gravity-flow system in the cellar, inaugurated in 1992, preserves the integrity of the wine by avoiding any mechanical pumping.

Grape variety

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