2011 Muscat Reserve

Trimbach’s (as usual) 80% Ottonel 2011 Muscat d’Alsace Reserve is delightfully and pungently scented with mint and marjoram, along with surprising, striking intimations of sea breeze and shrimp shell reduction that have their mouthwatering counterparts on a juicy and invigorating as well as silken-textured palate. The freshness, sap and salinity on exhibit here not to mention their sheer follow-through are not what I expected from this vintage, much less expect from a wine so dominated by Ottonel. The natural bitterness of this variety is quite well-harnessed. Look for versatile employment at table or solo from this fine value through at least 2015. ”When it came to our own vineyards, we got only 50-55 hectoliters per hectare in 2011,” notes Pierre Trimbach of a generally abundant Alsace vintage. “We started picking already around September 10th,” he continues, “thanks to a hot, dry August and September. There was no rain until October 19, just after we finished picking.” While the Trimbachs express understandable delight with their iconic Rieslings from 2010, they bottled no Pinot Gris Reserve Personnelle and only a single wine from Gewurztraminer. “The quantity was so small, that we said ‘one bottling and that’s it,” relates Jean Trimbach. I urge wine lovers to take advantage of those bottling decisions! (What little 2010 V.T. was picked also ended up being blended out.) The Trimbachs’ Riesling line-up has recently grown by several bottlings, including one from the share of Gaisberg that they recently rented long-term from the local convent. From nearly three-decade- old vines in the highest reaches of this Kaysersberg grand cru there will be, beginning in 2012, a Trimbach Riesling Schlossberg. Both of these wines have prompted the family to break with past practice of not referencing any grand cru vineyards on its labels. Importer: Palm Bay International, Boca Raton, FL; tel. (561) 362-9642