Hugel Vendange Tardive Riesling 2001
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Parker
Robert
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Winemaker Notes
To taste a late-harvest Riesling is always a moment of outstanding pleasure and a joy to all the senses. Several years have been required for this wine to approach maturity, because such a rare, noble product calls for patience and respect in order to reveal its true class and personality. It has a deep, bright and youthful color with strong green reflections. Its forthright, characteristic bouquet assumes its own potential, bringing together lively citrus aromas of pink grapefruit, lime, lemon balm and citronella, backed by delicately aromatic floral fragrances and just a touch of the mineral character so typical of the proud Riesling grape. The palate is a profusion of gustatory pleasures, flavourful, tender, velvety, soft and juicy, its gentle harmony prolonged by the framework of noble acidity that only the Riesling is capable of displaying. A unique moment of refinement and sensitivity.
A wine to drink just for itself, or with a fresh fruit tart, or chicken in lemon, or with meat or fish in sweet and sour or acidulous sauces. This wine has great ageing potential. Serve it at 8°C.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The Hugels are conservative in their approach to vendange tardive, and after their 2001 Riesling Vendange Tardvie there will not be another such Riesling release until the 2005. With a beautifully bitter-sweet aroma of buddleia, quince, and chalk dust that would do a Loire Chenin proud, the 2001 comes onto the palate opulent and creamy yet delicately poised (reflecting its under-12% alcohol) and with flavors of quince and peach preserves, fresh lime, and orange marmalade, then lingers long on honeyed richness, subtle minerality, and mysterious hints of truffle and musk. This classic will also linger in your cellar without diminishing in quality for at least the next dozen years. (The equally opulent and rich 1998 is drinking beautifully today, but lacks the delicacy or depth of this 2001.)
Other Vintages
2013-
Suckling
James -
Parker
Robert
In the cellars, the oldest of which dates back to 1551, can be seen rows of oak wine casks, over one hundred years old, crafted by the forefathers of the present generation of Hugels now running the company. Near them is the oldest cask in the world still in use: the Sainte Caterine, which has a capacity of 8,800 litres. It was built in 1715, the year in which Louis XIV died.
The company has always maintained its family character and is determined to keep it that way. The vineyards are owned and farmed by individual members of the family whereas the company owns the buildings and machinery.
Riesling possesses a remarkable ability to reflect the character of wherever it is grown while still maintaining its identity. A regal variety of incredible purity and precision, this versatile grape can be just as enjoyable dry or sweet, young or old, still or sparkling and can age longer than nearly any other white variety. Somm Secret—Given how difficult it is to discern the level of sweetness in a Riesling from the label, here are some clues to find the dry ones. First, look for the world “trocken.” (“Halbtrocken” or “feinherb” mean off-dry.) Also a higher abv usually indicates a drier Riesling.
With its fairytale aesthetic, Germanic influence and strong emphasis on white wines, Alsace is one of France’s most unique viticultural regions. This hotly contested stretch of land running north to south on France’s northeastern border has spent much of its existence as German territory. Nestled in the rain shadow of the Vosges mountains, it is one of the driest regions of France but enjoys a long and cool growing season. Autumn humidity facilitates the development of “noble rot” for the production of late-picked sweet wines, Vendange Tardive and Sélection de Grains Nobles.
The best wines of Alsace can be described as aromatic and honeyed, even when completely dry. The region’s “noble” varieties, the only ones permitted within Alsace’s 51 Grands Crus vineyards, are Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Muscat, and Pinot Gris.
Riesling is Alsace’s main specialty. In its youth, Alsace Riesling is dry, fresh and floral, but develops complex mineral and flint character with age. Gewurztraminer is known for its signature spice and lychee aromatics, and is often utilized for late harvest wines. Pinot Gris is prized for its combination of crisp acidity and savory spice as well as ripe stone fruit flavors. Muscat, vinified dry, tastes of ripe green grapes and fresh rose petal.
Other varieties grown here include Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois, Chasselas, Sylvaner and Pinot Noir—the only red grape permitted in Alsace and mainly used for sparkling rosé known as Crémant d’Alsace. Most Alsace wines are single-varietal bottlings and unlike other French regions, are also labeled with the variety name.