Trimbach Cuvee Frederic Emile Riesling 2017
Domaine Trimbach, nestled in the heart of Alsace, France, was first established as a winery in 1626 by Jean Trimbach, who settled in Riquewihr and began the Trimbach families winemaking journey. Over four hundred years, through 13 generations the family's passion for viticulture has been unwavering. Relocating to Hunawihr in the 1840s, and settling in Ribeauvillé after World War I, where the winery is based today. Each generation continually honed their craft, ensuring Trimbach's enduring legacy in the world of wine, in particular Alsatian Rieslings.
Domaine Trimbach's dedication extends beyond exceptional wines. Committed to sustainable practices, they have achieved certified organic status for all 63 hectares of their vineyards. These vineyards, spread across the picturesque villages of Ribeauvillé, Hunawihr, Mittelwihr, Kientzheim, and Turkheim, benefit from diverse terroirs, infusing each wine with unique characteristics.
Domaine Trimbach's most renowned wines are the Clos Sainte Hune and Cuvée Frédéric Emile Rieslings. The legendary Clos Sainte Hune hails from 1.67 hectares of the prestigious Rosacker Grand Cru vineyard. Renowned for its elegance, minerality, and exceptional aging potential, this Riesling is a legend among aficionados. While Clos Sainte Hune was first produced in 1919, the first vintage of Cuvée Frédéric Emile was not released until 1967. The fruit is sourced from a contiguous vineyard plot that straddles the Grand Crus of Geisberg and Osterberg, overlooking the Trimbach winery and the town of Ribeauvillé. And with a few more hectares of vineyard behind it, Cuvée Frédéric Emile finds its way into the wine lists of top restaurants all around the world. Indeed, at last count it was listed in 25 Michelin three-star restaurants in France alone.
This wine is named for Frédéric Emile Trimbach who became famous for providing a new guarantee of quality and authenticity for Trimbach in 1898. The south and south-east facing Ribeauvillé Grand Crus of Geisberg and Osterberg have been producing this wine for several generations. The average age of the vines, over 55 years, results in limited yields. The grapes are crushed and delicately pressed in a pneumatic press, then vinified to dryness in stainless steel vats and old casks. No MLF, or long ageing on lees in order to preserve freshness, liveliness and fruity aromas. The wine was bottled in spring. After seven years of ageing in the cellar the wine expresses all its potential to develop further, expressing its terroir, with aging potential of 20+ years.
This wine reveals a great aromatic complexity. Citrus, white flowers, and flinty mineral notes. The mouthfeel is ample and rich, while remaining precise balanced by chiselled acidity. This vintage is characterized by its freshness with tension, finesse and minerality. Perfect with oysters, langoustines, lobster, grilled fish or fish in white butter sauce as well as roasted poultry, sweetbreads, dishes with chanterelle mushrooms, potato gratin and vegetables.
Poured from a magnum, this age-worthy wine is snappy and precise in texture, offering abundant minerals, orange zest and white peach in the aroma and crisp, stony flavours on the palate. Focused, invigorating. - James Suckling, 95 Points.
Tart lemon has an edge of softness reminiscent of a fresh Mirabelle tart. The palate of this wine majors on bright lemon juiciness with mouth-watering efficiency… It offers wonderful concentration, poise and a bone-dry finish. - Wine Enthusiast, 97 Points.
The Finer Details
Style - White Wine
Varietal - Riesling
Country - France
Region - Alsace
Vintage - 2017
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 13.5%
Other - Organic