1976 Zind-Humbrecht Eau de Vie Marc de Gewurztraminer, France, Alsace

This is an Eau-de-Vie ariginally made by Leonard Humbrecht back in 1976. It was bottled in 2017 by his son Olivier and purchased at the winery a few weeks later. This bottle had been opened last winter and about halfway consumed. It seemed a perfect drink to finish off an Alsatian Gewurztraminer tasting. Deep red-orange in color. The nose has a lot of alcohol. There is also some peach schnapps and lychees and a dried tea note. On the palate, this is warm. 63.1% Alcohol will do that. After the first sip it was welcoming though. It has a nice depth and complexity to it. Certainly, one of the smoother wines of this type (compared to grappas, other brandy's or eau de vies).

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Vintage:

1976

Vins de France 101: Alsace, France’s Little Wine Treasure

Take a deep breath. While exhaling, say “Ahhhl zas.” It resonates like a yoga mantra with the emphasis on “Ahhh.” The phonetic version of Alsace reveals the beauty of this little border province and the prominence of one of France’s smallest wine regions. It harbors a medieval landscape from a bygone era. Half-timbered houses, cobbled streets, and Romanesque churches have you anticipating someone heavily cloaked in costume to walk by you munching on a giant turkey leg.

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1988 Zind-Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Rangen de Thann Clos St. Urbain Vendange Tardive, France, Alsace, Wine Review

Vintage:

1988

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The evening wasn't quite done and this fit the bill for a little something sweet to finish the night. From a 375ml bottle. Deep golden/orange in color. The nose is pretty with lychees, oranges and slight simple syrup. Also a nice underlying minerality. On the palate, this is slightly viscous. Much fresher than a bottle a couple of years ago. Lychees, apricots with a bit of sweetness. A nice bit of acidity to balance things out. Long finish that was clean and without bitterness. Just delicious and interesting to sip on its own, it would work with a slightly sweet dessert.

1998 Zind-Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Goldert Vendange Tardive, France, Alsace, Wine Review

Vintage:

1998

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Current Price:

$88.00USD

This is a sweet wine from Alsace France. At just shy of 25 years old, this was beautiful. Golden in color, a deep in color, clear and bright. What an exquisite nose. Is there a better nose on a wine than aged Gewurztraminer? Lychees, honey, slight grilled grapefruit (think caramelized) and saline. Full bodied. Viscous. Sweet but not cloying. On the palate, lychees, and honey with underlying minerality. Long finish. Just delicious. This is contemplative on its own but will work with more savory (or at least less sweet) fruit desserts. Mature, but this could easily go another dec

2002 Zind-Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Clos Windsbuhl, France, Alsace, Wine Review

Vintage:

2002

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Current Price:

$66.00USD

For those who don't believe that Gewurztraminer can age, they would be wrong as this wine shows. Deep golden in color. Clear and bright. A gorgeous nose of lychees with smokey notes and a slight sea air quality. This is slightly viscous. It gives the impression that this will be sweet but drinks more semi-sweet although with air, the sweetness comes out more. Thee palate has peaches with layers of fruit and minerals. Long finish. This is drinking beautifully at age 18. Seems like it could easily do another five to maybe ten more. Works great on its own and will work well with sala

2020 Zind-Humbrecht Gewurztraminer, France, Alsace, Wine Review

Vintage:

2020

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Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$30.00USD

This is their basic Gewurztraminer (they have many higher end ones worth exploring). Golden in color, clear and bright. The nose is nice with lychees, slight minerality, and lemon peel. Medium bodied. On the palate, this is pretty much dry. Notes of lemon and minerals. Great texture. Nice finish. Drink over the next few years. Very nice on its own, this will work nicely with Thai food.

1976 Zind-Humbrecht Eau de Vie Marc de Gewurztraminer, France, Alsace

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