1997 Pinot Gris Vieilles Vignes
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Tasting notes
The gold-colored 1997 Tokay-Pinot Gris Vieilles Vignes (60-70% botrytis affected) was harvested at Grains Nobles levels of maturity yet Humbrecht chose to forego labeling it as such (or even as a Vendange Tardive) because he does not believe it will age as well as wines with those monikers should. It offers a rich, botrytis-laced nose and a dense, oily-textured, medium-to-full-bodied character. This layered wine offers super-ripe peach, apricot, bergamot, earth, smoke, and mineral flavors in its hugely pleasurable core of fruit. Anticipated maturity: now-2008. Importer: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA; tel (510) 524-1524.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Pierre Rovani
More reviews and scores
Full yellow color. Fruit salad and honey on the expressive, exotic nose. Sweet (40 g/l r.s.) and fat, but tangy and nicely balanced. An earthy quality gives this wine a somewhat rustic aspect. Quite thick in the middle palate and on the back end. I'd drink this rather powerful tokay on the young side.
About the producer
Widely acknowledged as one of the legendary wineries in Alsace, the wines of Domaine Zind-Humbrecht are nothing short of magical. Certified organic and biodynamic, the estate crafts an extensive range of wines, including many Grand Cru and single-vineyard bottlings.