About this winery

Olivier Humbrecht is one of the world's most renowned winegrowers. He is a Master of Wine and has been described by Robert Parker as the greatest white winemaker on earth. Yet he is very soft spoken, humble, and self-deprecating, which makes him perfectly suited to his assumed role as a global ambassador of wine. He is a champion of terroir, biodynamic farming principles, and non-interventionist winemaking, whose family have been winegrowers in Alsace for 12 generations (since 1620). He is...

See the ZIND-HUMBRECHT detail page for more information on this brand

Product notes

Winter 2010/2011 was one of the direst in recent years; with the dry period continuing until May, meaning bud break almost a month before a classic vintage. June to August brought back normal levels of rain with September and October very dry allowing perfect harvesting conditions.

2011 was a large crop in Alsace, Olivier’s wines averaged yields of 56 ha/hl for the whole estate and 37hl/ha in the Grand Cru vineyards. 2011 is the first year that estates had to declare the yields for village and single vineyards levels separately. The yield limits are 68hl/ha for single vineyards and 72hl/ha for Village wines.

The wines of 2011 show normal acidity level, slightly higher than 2009 but lower than the recent high vintages of 2010 or 2008. 2011 will probably be considered as a good to very good vintage.

Production notes

70% Auxerrois and 30% Pinot Blanc, sourced from the Herrenweg Vineyard in the village of Turckheim and the Rotenberg vineyard in the village of Wintzenheim. The average age of the vines is 36 years old and planted on Oligocene Calcareous and gravely soils. All natural fermentation, grapes were picked at ripeness level that would allow a dry finished wine. The alc% is 12.8 and it is an indice level 1.

Tasting notes

Still on the lees, but showing a great nutty nose with a sense of white fruits. The whole wine will benefit from some extra ageing and air. The palate is technically very dry but without any unwanted bitterness or acidity. Nice medium length and smoothness. It is a great every day food wine.