The 2020 Domaine Zind Humbrecht Pinot Gris Rangen de Thann Clos St Urbain exemplifies the quality and complexity expected from this prestigious Alsatian vineyard. This white wine, made from the Pinot Gris varietal, hails from the Haut Rhin sub-region of Alsace, specifically the Thann appellation and its notable Clos Saint Urbain sub-appellation. Produced by Domaine Zind Humbrecht, this wine employs a cork closure and contains 13.5% alcohol by volume.
James Suckling awarded this Pinot Gris an impressive score of 98 points, praising its "super smoky, spicy and flinty" characteristics. He noted its "imposing and enveloping" nature and described it as "barely off-dry." Suckling emphasized the wine’s "smoky and textural complexity," calling attention to its "deep and refined palate" with remarkable "power and concentration." The finish is described as "super-long, creamy and spicy," suggesting a wine of significant longevity and depth. Suckling also highlighted that the grapes are biodynamically grown, adding an element of sustainable farming practices to its allure.
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, through reviewer Stephan Reinhardt, gave the wine a solid 94 points. Reinhardt described the bouquet as "clear and pure, smoky or flinty," with "dominant ripe seed-fruit aromas." He found the palate to be "full-bodied, lush and piquant," and noted its "rich, luscious, round but persistently salty" nature. Although he found it impressive, he did not consider it "more stimulating than the Riesling" from the same producer. This review also mentioned the wine's residual sugar content of eight grams per liter and its natural cork closure.
Decanter’s review, which rated the wine 95 points, highlighted its "gorgeous aromas of orange, ginger, pepper, truffle butter and spring flowers." The review praised the wine's ability to "balance acidity and residual sugar," delivered with a "brisk salinity" that enhances the overall experience. The textural seamlessness noted by Decanter underscores the craftsmanship involved in producing this wine. They also remarked on the significance of the grand cru designation for Pinot Gris, suggesting a perfect match of varietal to terroir.
In summary, the 2020 Domaine Zind Humbrecht Pinot Gris Rangen de Thann Clos St Urbain is a highly acclaimed wine noted for its complex smoky and spicy profile, balanced acidity, and long, creamy finish. With scores ranging from 94 to 98 points from respected reviewers, this wine is both a testament to the quality of Alsatian Pinot Gris and the expertise of Domaine Zind Humbrecht.