Josmeyer : Pinot Gris Grand cru "Hengst" 2019

Characteristics and tasting advice for the Pinot Gris Grand cru "Hengst" 2019 from Josmeyer

Tasting

Color
The color reveals a straw-gold hue with amber highlights, enhanced by a remarkable brilliance.

Nose
Dense and complex, the nose unveils smoky, slightly iodine-tinged notes, alongside aromas of honey, fresh hazelnuts and acacia blossom. The bouquet evolves toward nuances of white truffle and limestone, characteristic of the terroir.

Palate
The palate stands out for its firm structure and remarkable balance. Broad and silky, it develops a crystalline tension carried by a pure, fresh acidity. The finish, long and saline, expresses a delicate minerality marked by the terroir’s limestone character.

Food and wine pairings

This Pinot Gris Grand cru "Hengst" 2019 pairs perfectly with shellfish in sauce such as lobster or spiny lobster, as well as a traditional foie gras terrine. It also elevates world cuisine dishes with sweet-and-savoury flavours. After a few years of cellaring, it pairs ideally with poultry in cream sauce or preparations with truffle-infused jus.

Serving and cellaring

The Pinot Gris Grand cru "Hengst" 2019 is best enjoyed at a temperature of 12°C. This wine offers exceptional ageing potential and can be cellared until around 2049.

An Alsace Grand Cru with exceptional minerality

The estate

Established in 1854 by Aloyse Meyer in Wintzenheim near Colmar, Domaine Josmeyer has embodied Alsatian winegrowing excellence for five generations. The vineyard spans 24.4 hectares across 90 parcels, including the prestigious Hengst and Brand grands crus. Led by Céline Meyer, Isabelle Meyer and Christophe Ehrhart, the estate has been a pioneer of biodynamics in Alsace since 1999-2000, certified in 2004.

The vineyard

The Grand Cru Hengst, whose name means “The Stallion”, is located in Wintzenheim in Alsace. The 35-year-old pinot gris vines benefit from a south-southeast exposure at 360 metres above sea level. The terroir is made up of brown limestone soils, sandstone and clay associated with Oligocene conglomerates. These stony soils come from Muschelkalk limestone mixed with clay. Soil management alternates between grass cover every other row and light ploughing.

Vinification and ageing

The Pinot Gris Grand cru "Hengst" 2019 comes from 100% hand-harvested grapes. The grapes are pressed as whole clusters for around 7 hours in pneumatic presses. Fermentation takes place spontaneously thanks to indigenous yeasts in a 500-litre sandstone jar. Ageing is carried out on full lees in this same jar for several months. Bottling took place in June 2020, after filtration and a sulphur adjustment if necessary.

Grape variety

100% pinot gris