Domaine Zind-Humbrecht is worthy of its status as one of the standout white wine producers in both Alsace and France as a whole. Under Olivier Humbrecht MW the estate has moved with the times, evolving the style without losing their identity, and increasing both quality and drinkability across the range. Now working in the cellar with his son Pierre-Emile, who joined the domaine in 2019, the shift to dryness in all but rare exceptions has reflected demand but also added purity to the expression of each vineyard site.
2024 is a complex vintage which yielded superb wines at the domaine. Spring was complicated, with heavy disease pressure due to heavy rains, but thanks to lessons learned in 2021 the yields were unaffected at Zind-Humbrecht. The summer would be considered cool when compared to recent vintages, but normal when looking back to the mid and longer-term records. The harvest took place from 10th September to 6th October, three weeks later than some recent years but equally earlier than would have been the case 15 or 20 years ago.
What really matters is the wines. The range of Riesling, Pinot Gris, Muscat and Gewurztraminer we tasted with Olivier this month was outstanding, with intense aromatics, ripe fruit flavours, piercing acidities, modest alcohols and grippy, phenolic tension. This is a brilliant year for understanding the differences between the sites Zind-Humbrecht offer, and the wines are already showing beautifully - there is no need to wait. Our highlights came from Clos Windsbuhl, the monopole that produces Riesling, Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer in a manner that reflects the variety and site in equal measure.
Prices at the domaine have remained stable and the wines offer tremendous value for money. This is one of the benchmark producers of the region, and 2024 is a vintage where they stand out even more. These are, quite simply, some of the finest white wines made in the world today.
The wines are currently lying at the domaine and will be shipping to the UK in September.
