Technical presentation
| Bottling : | February 2016 |
|---|---|
| Acquired alcohol : | 12.5° |
| Residual sugar : | 5.5 g/l |
| Total acidity : | 4.3 g/l H2SO4 (6.6 g/l Acide Tartrique) |
| pH : | 3.0 |
| Yield : | 28 hl/ha |
| Optimum tasting : | 2019-2039+ |
| Average age of vines : | 52 years |
| Grape variety : | Riesling |
| Terroir : | Grand Cru Rangen de Thann Clos Saint Urbain |
| Sweetness index : | 1 |
| Soil : | Sedimentary volcanic rocks (Tuffs & Grauwake), South facing, Very steep slope |
Description of the wine Riesling Grand Cru Rangen from Thann Clos Saint Urbain 2014
The Clos-Saint-Urbain is part of the Rangen. It is located on the western side of the Grand Cru, right above the river Thur and easy to spot with the Chapel Saint Urbain right in the middle. The higher elevation (350m to 450m) and proximity of the Vosges mountains (and cold valley winds) explain its later ripening climate. However, the steep slope (100%), south facing and dark volcanic soil are capable to help the grapes to ripen very well and give this vineyard a long maturation time. Volcanic ashes are rich in minerals, but particularly in magnesium. Just like in the Clos Windsbuhl, it explains why the Rangen wines have such density and saline mouthfeel. The 2014 Rangen is hugely influenced by the volcanic mother rock. It really shows the potential of this vineyard. Sadly, it is the only wine made there as both the Gewurztraminer and Pinot-Gris were entirely declassified due to fruit flies attacks. Miraculously, the Riesling was intact. The wine had a vigorous fermentation and finished dry.
Tasting notes
09/2016 : Bright deep yellow colour. Intense complex smoky nose, showing lots of flinty, peaty and burnt herbs aromatics. It almost feels like we macerated volcanic ash with the grapes! The palate reacts quickly to the huge saline texture. Completely different from any other wine we produce, the Rangen Riesling stands alone. The 2014 is packed with taste despite a relatively austere finish. It is soil and plant extract in a very elegant delivery. The acidity is well present but is not the main component of this wine as it almost disappears against the rock influence.
The Clos Saint Urbain, Grand Cru Rangen from Thann
The Rangen de Thann is the most southerly of the Alsace vineyards. In his book « Where Alsace wines ripen », Henry Riegert writes: « from the Middle Ages those wines which ripen on the Rangen hillside figure amongst the most famous growths of the whole vineyard region ». The Grand Cru Rangen de Thann, is situated at the exit of the valley, overlooking the village of Thann with the river Thur passing at the foot of the slope.