Maison Hugel : Gewurztraminer "S" Sélection de Grains Nobles 2007
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Description
A Gewürztraminer that represents the quintessence of Hugel wines
The estate
Although traces of the first Hugels can be found as early as the 15th century, it was not until 200 years later that the family settled in Riquewihr. In 1639, Hans Ulrich Hugel became a citizen of the town and took over the leadership of the Alsace Winegrowers' Corporation. Over the following centuries, the Hugels became a renowned family of wine producers, thanks in particular to the high value of the terroir and the meticulous care given to their vines. The wines of the Hugel family come from an estate that extends over 30 hectares. Respectful of nature, Maison Hugel never uses fertilisers, works with low yields on vines that are on average at least 30 years old. The wines of Maison Hugel are also made with grapes from 100 hectares of vines of other winegrowers among the highest quality terroirs of Alsace.
The vineyard
Located in the heart of the famous village of Riquewihr, in the heart of the Alsace Wine Route, the estate benefits from an exceptional 200 million year old terroir dating from the Triassic and Jurassic periods. Riquewihr is situated on a geological fault line running north-south and east-west, where 12 different types of soil are compartmentalised. They are marly and clayey and are at the origin of the complexity of the wines. Half of Hugel's plots are Grand Cru. The wines produced as Sélection de Grains Nobles are the speciality of this renowned House.
The wine
This wine of exceptional quality is one of the 7 highest rated wines in the Bettane & Desseauve 2010 guide, alongside Ausone or Yquem 2005 and other spectacular peers. It is made from a Gewürztraminer from a Sélection de Grains Nobles. The winemakers select grapes affected by noble rot (botrytis cinerea), a fungus that dries out the grapes and leaves the sugar and scents they contain, to make a sweet wine. The weather conditions must be right to produce this rare wine. Maison Hugel's Gewurztraminer "S" Sélection de Grains Nobles 2007 has an almost unlimited ageing potential. This nectar has a residual sugar level of 172 grams per litre, achieved by an extremely low yield of 7 hectolitres per hectare. Only 1000 very rare bottles were produced.
The vintage
2007 was a wonderful year which produced elegant and pure wines. The ripening period was one of the longest of the previous 25 years. The grapes were healthy and produced good acidity. The 2007 vintage is known in Alsace as a vintage of great wines for ageing.
Winemaking and ageing
The grapes come from the oldest plots of the Domaine Hugel within the Grand Cru Sporen. The grapes were harvested on 9 October. The grapes were picked one by one with great care and brought to the cellar in small containers. Slow pressing allowed the extraction of the wilted grapes. Once the settling stage was completed, the musts were transferred to the tuns and vats for fermentation. Temperatures ranged from 18 to 24 degrees. The wine was clarified by racking only once, but a brief filtration took place before bottling in the spring.
Blend
Gewürztraminer
Characteristics and tasting tips for Maison Hugel : Gewurztraminer "S" Sélection de Grains Nobles 2007
Tasting
Colour
The golden yellow colour with subtle copper highlights characterises this wine.
Nose
The intense dried fruit and citrus scents, accompanied by soft spices and dried flowers like rose, give this wine a striking intensity.
Palate
This very sweet wine is powerful and rounded with a velvety texture. The pronounced taste of over-ripeness can be detected right through to the finish. The length on the palate is intense.
Food and wine pairing
This Maison Hugel : Gewurztraminer "S" Sélection de Grains Nobles 2007 wine pairs perfectly with foie gras and not too sweet desserts, like sorbets.
Storage
This exceptional wine can be laid down for over 50 years.
To serve
For the best tasting, serve between 7 and 9 °C.