13-March-2004
Saturday morning tasting - Trimbach, Clos St. Hune
Saturday morning, after a rich breakfast, we all gathered in the tasting room at Gidleigh Park for a vertical tasting of Alsace moss celebrated Riesling - Trimbach, Clos St. Hune.
Riesling Clos St. Hune is made only in good years. Hand picked late from a 1.3 hectar parcel near the village of Hunawihr. where the vines are about 45 years old.
The juice is fermented in stainless-steel for 3-4 weeks. The wine is vinified to complete dryness with no residual sugar. In years when Clos St. Hune is produced, less than 600 cases are made.
We had 16 vintages of the wine in four flights of four at a time. Going backwards from 1998 all the way to 1967.
Steven Spurrier hosted the tasting and provided insight into each vintage and wine. But that he did only after we have tasted each flight in silence for about 10 minutes and took our independent notes.
About to start |
While doing it |
Following are my impressions of the wines tasted.
Clos St. Hune 1998 - Somewhat greenish nose. Quite closed, fruit still overshadowed by searing acidity. Very Good. MARK 17/20.
Clos St. Hune 1997 - Hardly any nose. Minerally taste. The least impressive of the flight. Good. MARK 16/20.
Clos St. Hune 1996 - Oily nose with noted petrol tones. Very stylish on the palate. Fine. MARK 17.5/20.
Clos St. Hune 1995 - Flowery aromas with petrol nose. Deep flavors, full, rich. Great future. Very Fine. MARK 18/20.
Clos St. Hune 1994 - Fresh, greenish nose. Typically dry taste, but lacks concentration. Good-plus. MARK 16.5/20.
Clos St. Hune 1992 - Weak but nice flowery nose. Light, acidic but very well balanced. Fine. MARK 17.5/20.
Clos St. Hune 1990 - Minerally oily nose. Wonderfully expressive on the palate. Very Fine. MARK 18/20.
Clos St. Hune 1989 Vendange Tardive Hors Choix - Deep impressive nose with a touch of honey added to the fruit, minerals and petrol tones. Delicious and fantastically balanced. Outstanding! MARK 19/20.
Clos St. Hune 1987 - Unclean nose though unmistakably Riesling. Not the best. Good. MARK 16/20.
Clos St. Hune 1985 - Weak nose. Good acidity. Not completely dry. Fine. MARK 17.5/20.
Clos St. Hune 1983 Vendange Tardive - Excellent petrol nose. Rich, deep but surprisingly not sweet. Superb. MARK 18.5/20.
Clos St. Hune 1981 - The first bottle was corked and the second one not much better. The worse of the lot. Fair. MARK 15/20.
Clos St. Hune 1976 - Fantastic rich honeyed nose. Ultimately harmonic and totally integrated. A great wine from a great vintage. Extraordinary!! MARK 19.5/20.
Clos St. Hune 1975 - Flowers, acacia and minerals nose. Good acidity, elegant and pleasant. Fine. MARK 17.5/20.
Clos St. Hune 1973 - Robust nose body and taste. Very tasty. Fine. MARK 17.5/20.
Clos St. Hune 1967 - Honeyed nose. Deep color. Not particularly balanced. Good-plus. MARK 16.5/20.
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