Wine Cellar

Wine:  Clos Sainte Hune

Fresh lime, yellow plum, musk, and intimations of chalk dust in the nose of Trimbach’s 2006 Riesling Clos Ste-Hune usher in a strikingly fresh, firm palate possessed of meat stock and game-like animal undertones. This bottling of barely over 12.5% in alcohol is much more tightly-stitched than the corresponding Frederic Emile, and finishes with penetrating, bright length, combined with overtly crushed stone minerality. No Alsace 2006 of my experience can top this for focus, clarity, or long-term (I would estimate 12-15 years’) aging potential, although the Frederic Emile is in its very different way more striking, as well as more fun to drink now.

Wine:  Cuvee Frederic Emile

The Trimbach 2006 Riesling Cuvee Frederic Emile displays almost cinnamon-like as well as gingery sweet spicy pungency, a legacy of advanced ripeness and a touch of botrytis. Ripe strawberry, blood orange, and pink grapefruit add to the rather decadent allure here, following on an opulent palate, whose subtly oiliness of texture and honeyed cast give further testimony to noble rot. Yet for all of its far-gone, exotic ripeness, there is persistent refreshment here and a sense of lift rather than weight. A strikingly long, succulent finish is touched with quinine and citrus rind bitterness. (The alcohol here is only a bit over 13% in alcohol, incidentally.) After the release later this year I would start enjoying this unforgettable if far from classic Frederic Emile, and while it might well surprise me and hold up well for longer than another 3-5 years after that, I would advise it me monitored closely ,while waiting on the more classic and in time more impressive 2005.

Wine:  Gewurztraminer

This dry, tangy white shows nice focus to the flavors of grapefruit sorbet, tangerine, star fruit and zesty spice. Light on its feet and fresh, with a mineral-tinged finish. Drink now through 2017. 12,000 cases made.

Wine:  Muscat

Wine:  Pinot Gris Reserve

Wine:  Pinot Gris Reserve

A dry Pinot Gris, with hints of mushroom accenting the pear, white peach and smoke notes. Citrusy acidity enlivens this fleshy white, with a lingering, smoky finish. Drink now. 19,000 cases made. –AN

Wine:  Pinot Gris Reserve

Ripe Rainier cherry and peach are allied to an aura of smoked meats and butcher shop in general in the nose of Trimbach’s 2009 Pinot Gris Reserve, then follow on a palate both succulent and refreshing, and one that hides both the wine’s 14% alcohol and its 9 grams of residual sugar. This finishes with relative understatement but impressive sheer persistence. It ought to prove highly versatile over the coming 5-6 years. Here we have all of the best Pinot Gris fruit that was available on the estate this vintage, as the Trimbachs elected not to bottle a Reserve Personnelle.

Wine:  Riesling

Light-bodied and fresh, with racy acidity enlivening flavors of anise, fresh quince, blanched almond and grapefruit zest. Lacy, with a delicate finish. Drink now through 2017.

Wine:  Riesling Reserve

Delicate, yet backed by focused acidity, offering subtle notes of chamomile, pink grapefruit, almond skin, pine needle and green apple, with a lingering, spice- and mineral-tinged finish. Drink now through 2020.