Technical presentation
| Bottling : | January 2025 |
|---|---|
| Acquired alcohol : | 13.5 ° |
| Residual sugar : | 1.1 g/l |
| Total acidity : | 4.1 g/l H2SO4 / (6.3 g/l Tartrique) |
| pH : | 3.3 |
| Yield : | 25 hl/ha |
| Optimum tasting : | 2028-2052+ |
| Average age of vines : | 60 years |
| Grape variety : | Pinot Gris |
| Terroir : | Grand Cru Rangen de Thann Clos Saint Urbain |
| Sweetness index : | 1 |
| Soil : | Sedimentary volcanic rocks (Tuffs & Grauwake), South facing |
Description of the wine Pinot Gris Grand Cru Rangen de Thann Clos Saint Urbain 2023
The Rangen is the southernmost Grand Cru vineyard in Alsace, located at the start of the Alsace wine route which officially begins in Thann. This southern location gives a false idea of its microclimate which is late ripening and cooler. Located at altitude (the base of the Rangen is higher than the summit of the Brand!) and under the influence of the cool winds of the Thann valley, the Rangen is in fact one of the last to be harvested on the estate. The exceptional topography of this very steep cru (up to 130% slope in places) and a south-facing face allows this delay to be made up for at the end of the season. The dark volcanic rock also allows heat to accumulate which is released at night. The grapes at Rangen always seem to be late in sugar ripeness in summer, but during the harvest, this terroir has an extraordinary capacity to make up for this delay, and even go above the other vineyards. The true personality of Rangen wines comes from the mineral richness of the soil which gives an original and incredibly complex texture and aroma, all enhanced by an energy of the place unique to the Rangen.
Tasting notes
01/2025: deep pale gold colour. The nose is expressive and powerful. Uninitiated tasters will think of a nice reduction, but lovers of this vineyard will recognize all the characteristics of the volcanic terroir: intense smokiness, flint, peat… particularly expressive in this 2023 vintage. The wine has a dense, fleshy, very precise texture and supported by superb acidity. The bitters enhance the salivating mineral density of this wine. It is a great wine that can provide great emotion when tasted with knowledge.
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.