Alsace is situated in the northeast corner of France, bordered on the west by the Vosges Mountains and on the east by the Rhine River, which separates it from Germany. Its shared history between France and Germany has created a unique approach to the styles of Alsatian wines and cuisine. Alsace is a picture-perfect region with rolling green hills dotted by charming medieval villages. The Route du Vin, which my wife and I have traveled on several occasions, is certainly one of the most beautiful wine trails in the world.
With vineyards surrounding the picturesque hamlet of Ribeauvillé, the Trimbach family has been promoting the history, exceptional terroirs, and wines of Alsace since 1626. And the Trimbachs have a purist vision. Across 13 generations, the family has always produced wines that are structured, long-lived, fruity, elegant, and balanced. Bottles remain in their cellar for several years before reaching the marketplace, ensuring that the wines are both ready to drink upon release but also hold great aging potential.
The family produces outstanding wines from all the classic Alsace varieties, but their two greatest wines are made from just one variety: Riesling. In point of fact, Trimbach’s Clos Ste. Hune and Cuvée Frédéric Emile are not only Alsace’s two greatest dry Rieslings, they may also be the finest examples made anywhere.
The Clos Ste. Hune is produced from 40-year-old vines and is then aged an incredible five years in the bottle before being released. Rated 96 by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate and 94 by the Wine Spectator, the 2007 Clos Ste. Hune has been called “legendary.” By the way, it retails for well over $200.00 a bottle (if you’re lucky enough to lay your hands on one).
The 2007 Cuvée Frédéric Emile is also highly rated – 95 by the Wine Enthusiast, 93 by the Wine Spectator, and 92 by the Wine Advocate – and more modestly priced at $75.00 per bottle in Pennsylvania State Stores (if you’re interested, the King of Prussia outpost has an ample supply).
But don’t sell the 2012 Trimbach Riesling short. It garnered a 91 from the Wine Spectator, which also positioned it at #49 in its Top 100 of 2014. The grapes were fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel & concrete vats; and there was no secondary malolactic fermentation in order to maintain as much natural acidity as possible. In the glass, it exhibits a beautiful straw color with green tinges at the periphery… on the nose, the characteristic petrol-mineral combo is unmistakably present and accounted for… and it assaults the palate with a bone-dry bracing acidity that continues on through the long, lingering, mouthwatering finish.
The 2012 Trimbach Riesling is a marvelously versatile wine that marries easily with a variety of cuisines… It is also, I might add, proof positive that an excellent wine need not cost a fortune. It retails around the $20.00 mark. I’ve seen it priced as high as $22.99 and as low as $13.99. Your best bet is online; do a little browsing and you should be able to come up with a good deal.
Cheers!
TAD
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