Zind Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Rangen de Thann Clos St Urbain Grand Cru 2016 (750ML)

98 JS / 96+ VM / 96 WE

Smoky and floral with mango peel and candied oranges, making this an extremely unusual gewurztraminer and an amazing dry white. The long mineral finish gets an extra kick from the generous tannins and ends salty and savory. Better from 2019 but there is absolutely no hurry to drink this! Made from biodynamically grown grapes. - James Suckling

Vivid golden-yellow. Aromatic, beautiful nose of remarkable finesse (lemon verbena, jasmine, lychee, rose, grapefruit). Then joltingly dry and piercing, delivering a unique combination of ripe fruit, almost shrill acidity and Rangen-typical smokiness. Absolutely bone-dry (0.6 g/l r.s.), it is also characterized by truly surprising acidity, probably resulting from the association of a slightly higher-than-usual total acidity and really amazing salinity. Finishes lemony and extremely long. Try this with crispy duck and smoked salmon. A truly remarkable taste experience, this is a wine of memorable purity and incredible salinity – and I’m not even an especially huge fan of Gewürz from the Rangen Grand Cru, a cru I think is much better suited to Riesling and Pinot Gris. Ian d'Agata - Vinous Media

Both the heady honeysuckle and Amalfi lemon notes on the nose seem to benefit from still being tinged with flinty reduction. The palate is intense and comes in with concentrated lemon zestiness that tingles across the taste buds. A smoky stoniness provides a solid and bold backdrop for hints of peach and more florals. This seems to have elixir-like power and prowess. Its central vein of smoky lemon zest makes you go back for more. This needs bottle age but promises to be sensational. Drink 2025–2035. - Wine Enthusiast