Zind Humbrecht
About Zind Humbrecht
Domaine Zind-Humbrecht in the Alsace, was created in 1959 continuing the Humbrecht family’s history of wine growing for three centuries. It is now managed by Olivier Humbrecht, the first Frenchman to become a master of wine.
One of the most important domaines in Alsace since its foundation in 1620, Domaine Zind Humbrecht has been passed down through generations of the Humbrecht Family for 400 years. Not only is the domaine one of the most traditional, it is also one of the most dynamic in this heavily German-influenced French wine region.
Perhaps it is four centuries of experience and dedication to their land and terroir that led them to convert to biodynamics back in 1997. The results are tangible and their wines, especially those from the most prestigious Grands Crus, go toe-to-toe with the finest white wines in the world.
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(12x37.5cl) 2005Inc. GSTSG$975.99 -
(6x75cl) 2005Wine Spectator (92)
This mouthcoating, off-dry white maintains an elegance and light-weight feel thanks to an underpinning of juicy acidity. Flavors of orange granita and blood orange mix with hints of grapefruit peel and rose petal. Well-balanced and delicious, with a creamy finish. Drink now through 2020. 191 cases made. -BSInc. GSTSG$849.55 -
(6x75cl) 2008Vinous (93)
(14.2% alcohol, 47 g/l r.s. and 6.2 acidity) Bright medium yellow. Subtle, subdued aromas of lichee, spices and minerals. Big, rich, spicy and full but light on its feet for all its tactile concentration. Sweet but not at all overdone, finishing with better grip than the Goldert. This is quite suave.Inc. GSTSG$676.24 -
Vinous (94-96)
Pale, gold-tinged straw. Intense, pure, utterly captivating aromas of pineapple, passion fruit, caramelized mango, cinnamon and nutmeg. In the mouth, sweet vanilla and toffee apple flavors are at once silky and powerful. Finishes extremely long and pure. A benchmark Gewürztraminer, and a real step up in concentration and complexity from the other 2012 Gewürztraminers at this address. The very old vines grow in two parcels, one planted in the 1920s and the other by Olivier’s grandfather in 1957. Structure-wise, I find this to be very reminiscent of a Rangen Gewürztraminer. In fact, it never ceases to amaze me how saline Zind-Humbrecht’s Hengst Gewürzes can be (and in this sense they are certainly Rangen-like).Inc. GSTSG$665.34 -
James Suckling (97)
This gewurz is built on a monumental scale with gigantic concentration and structure, easily filling out the huge body. The abundant fine tannins soak up almost all of the unfermented grape sweetness and drive the very long and texturally complex, spicy finish. Already pretty mind-blowing, but great aging potential! From biodynamically grown grapes. Drinkable now, but best from 2025.Inc. GSTSG$176.47 -
Vinous (93)
Bright deep yellow. Smoky camphor, peach and a hint of honeyed pineapple on the showy nose. Enters the mouth fresh, lively and precise, then turns slightly austere, showing noteworthy tannic bite to its orchard fruit and sweet spice flavors. A touch of marmaladey botrytis adds complexity on the lingering, ripe, rich finish. In 2001, high-quality botrytis targeted the Pinot Gris, so that a Sélection de Grains Nobles was produced with the grapes from the vines nearest to the river Thur; it was the grapes from Zind-Humbrecht's other wines in the Clos that were used to produce the bottling I describe here. Check out these numbers: only 13.6% alcohol, 30 g/l residual sugar, and 6.1 g/l total acidity. Utterly irresistible right now; in fact, I don’t think there is much to gain by holding onto it any longer. I remember first tasting this wine when it was released, and it struck me then as uncharacteristically ready to drink from the outset, but the wine's iodiney minerality is starting to take center stage from the fruit elements. In 2001, a cold and rainy September had many producers anxious, but the warmest October on record to that point ensured a clean, glitch-free harvest. “This was a rare year in which we were out harvesting in tee shirts, thanks to 28°C days in October,” Olivier Humbrecht reminisced. And at 36 hectoliters per hectare, 2001 was also a very generous year for production by the standards of the Clos.Inc. GSTSG$174.29 -
Vinous (94)
Dark golden yellow. White peach, green apple, minerals and botanical herbs on the forward but refined nose, complicated by a hint of spicy botrytis. Sweet, dense and leesy, conveying a compelling, delicately creamy texture and outstanding depth to its lemony noble rot-accented baked apple and herbal flavors. Finishes vibrant and long, with only a hint of residual sweetness (27.6 g/ residual sugar balanced by 6.3 g/l total acidity, with a 3.7 pH). Though less showy than most of the other vintages in this tasting, it showcases the classic, harmonious personality typical of the 2005 vintage in Alsace; but in perfect Rangen style it is still a rather powerful wine (15.3% alcohol). Humbrecht told me that 2005 featured the latest harvest start in 15 years and that some noble rot hit the Clos in 2005, but significantly less than in his other vineyards closer to Turckheim. The yield was a low 26 hectoliters per hectare.Inc. GSTSG$680.60 -
Inc. GSTSG$901.87 -
James Suckling (98)
The most powerful and deepest pinot gris of this vintage from Zind Humbrecht with a ton of smoke, creme-brulee and mushroom character. In spite of the almost 15% alcoholic content, it is properly dry and has a wonderful liveliness at the finish. Drink or hold. Made from biodynamically grown grapes.Inc. GSTSG$1,644.59 -
James Suckling (98)
Super smoky, spicy and flinty, this imposing and enveloping pinot gris is barely off-dry. Welcome to a world of smoky and textural complexity on the deep and refined palate. The power and concentration are almost as complete as the ripeness, effortlessly handling the 13.5% alcohol. Super-long, creamy and spicy finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.Inc. GSTSG$790.10 -
James Suckling (95)
This self-confidently atypical pinot gris has astonishing acidity that’s got the intensity of a lightning strike. Tons of pineapple and toast character, but also gigantic, lemony freshness at the exceptionally bright finish. May be too extreme for some, but we find this amazing. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.Inc. GSTSG$508.44 -
(6x75cl) 2008Vinous (93+)
Pale, golden-tinge yellow. Clean aromas of pineapple, orange marmalade, sweet spices and minerals are complicated by an exotic note of cinnamon and a hint of noble rot. Richer and riper on the palate than the Rangen, with soft apricot and tropical fruit flavors lifted by a lemongrass nuance. The finishing flavors of sweet pear and apricot are extremely long and pure. The Brand is almost always a bigger wine than the Rangen, and the numbers tell the story: 13.7% alcohol, 10 g/l r.s. and 7.3 g/l acidity. I had trouble choosing between this and the '08 Rangen: they're both great wines.Inc. GSTSG$930.21 -
Vinous (96+)
Bright straw-yellow. Very pure, clean, fresh aromas and flavors of yellow peach, lime, botanical herbs, sweet spices and a touch of orange jam. Then rich and dense, showing real concentration and depth to the lingering, repeating citrus and spice nuances. Finishes with an enticing multilayered quality, not to mention outstanding length. A fantastic wine. In 2016 Humbrecht did not use any grapes from his younger vines to make this wine, because he felt they had suffered some water stress that led to difficult fermentations and ultimately a different-tasting wine.Inc. GSTSG$820.20 -
(6x75cl) 2006Inc. GSTSG$884.43 -
Vinous (95)
Bright straw-yellow. Penetrating aromas and flavors of minerals, lavender, lemon and vanilla bean are very long and clean and display laser-like precision. The enamel-shattering acidity (the pH of 2.9 is really quite low) is buffered by a very ripe mouthfeel and a little bit of residual sugar (roughly 11 g/L residual sugar, though because of all that acidity, the wine tastes classically dry). Amazing purity of fruit and a crystalline mouthfeel bode well for this wine’s future; at once very acidic but also very ripe, this is a really amazing effort from Humbrecht. Very well done.Inc. GSTSG$171.02 -
(6x75cl) 2018Vinous (96)
One of the standouts in this range, the 2018 Riesling Clos Windsbuhl is incredibly vivid in the glass. Time in the glass brings out myriad layers of flavor and dimension. Orange confit, crushed rocks, mint and more exotic notes all meld together in an airy, weightless wine that has so much to offer. The 2018 is at once intense but also carries itself with a real sense of grace.Inc. GSTSG$818.05 -
James Suckling (95)
Still very youthful, with a wealth of cool and delicate herbal and stone-fruit aromas. Very straight and vertical, with super-elegant and energetic acidity. Tons of chalky power, but the fruit is only just beginning to open up on the sleek but very compact palate. I love the really long, fragrant finish. The structure and harmony for very long aging! From biodynamically grown grapes. Drinkable now, but best from 2024Inc. GSTSG$149.24 -
Inc. GSTSG$148.87 -
(6x75cl) 2006Vinous (89)
(14% alcohol with 8.8 g/l r.s.) Bright lemon-yellow color. Floral honey, ripe citrus fruits and apricot on the nose; hints at a late-harvest character. Then broad and sexy in the mouth but racy, with a slightly glyceral, honeyed texture cut by firm acidity. A very tactile, nicely balanced wine with a subtle sweetness. Finishes gripping and long. Today I prefer this to the 2007, but of course the newer vintage was not yet in bottle in September.Inc. GSTSG$635.91 -
(6x75cl) 2018Inc. GSTSG$454.97 -
James Suckling (97)
A unique dry riesling with an astonishing combination of mini banana, mirabelle, baking spice and sea salt. Super concentrated and super elegant, this has a level of poise that’s very rare in the 2018 vintage. I love the way the silky finish caresses the palate. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.Inc. GSTSG$771.13 -
James Suckling (98)
This dry riesling masterpiece is full of seeming contradictions that give it a sense of mystery you very rarely find. So rich and concentrated, yet also astonishingly vivid and precise, the aromas range from smoke to roses, although the most obvious note is the peachy one up front. Breathtakingly long and complete finish with so much mineral complexity. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.Inc. GSTSG$324.99 -
James Suckling (98)
This dry riesling masterpiece is full of seeming contradictions that give it a sense of mystery you very rarely find. So rich and concentrated, yet also astonishingly vivid and precise, the aromas range from smoke to roses, although the most obvious note is the peachy one up front. Breathtakingly long and complete finish with so much mineral complexity. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.Inc. GSTSG$236.07 -
James Suckling (98)
This dry riesling masterpiece is full of seeming contradictions that give it a sense of mystery you very rarely find. So rich and concentrated, yet also astonishingly vivid and precise, the aromas range from smoke to roses, although the most obvious note is the peachy one up front. Breathtakingly long and complete finish with so much mineral complexity. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.Inc. GSTSG$857.26 -
James Suckling (99)
So smoky, with intense gunpowder character, but also notes of forest mushrooms and jack fruit. This is not only very concentrated, but also has an amazingly sensual mouth-feel that sets out in the wide field of exciting dry Alsace rieslings from the 2020 vintage. Expands and expands as it flows over your palate until it blows your mind at the unbelievably long, smoky finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.Inc. GSTSG$687.20 -
James Suckling (98)
Welcome to the dark side of the dry riesling force where gunpowder meets the stone at the heart of the peach. Dazzling racy intensity. Super-long and pure with a mountain of crushed rock character at the smoky finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.Inc. GSTSG$206.28 -
Wine Advocate (99)
The late-budding and rather late-ripening Clos Saint-Urbain, in the very south of Alsace, meets the very warm and solar 2022 vintage in this wine. What a thrilling setting this is, the more so since August and September brought rather cooler conditions to this cooler but, due to its dark soils and stony terraces in summer, nevertheless warm terroir of the Rangen. Indeed, the pH level was rather low in 2022 (at 3.1) and caused a dry and tense Riesling that doesn't at all show the characteristics of the Rieslings around Turckheim or elsewhere in Alsace.Inc. GSTSG$915.03
-
(12x37.5cl) 2005In BondSG$836.00 -
(6x75cl) 2005Wine Spectator (92)
This mouthcoating, off-dry white maintains an elegance and light-weight feel thanks to an underpinning of juicy acidity. Flavors of orange granita and blood orange mix with hints of grapefruit peel and rose petal. Well-balanced and delicious, with a creamy finish. Drink now through 2020. 191 cases made. -BSIn BondSG$720.00 -
(6x75cl) 2008Vinous (93)
(14.2% alcohol, 47 g/l r.s. and 6.2 acidity) Bright medium yellow. Subtle, subdued aromas of lichee, spices and minerals. Big, rich, spicy and full but light on its feet for all its tactile concentration. Sweet but not at all overdone, finishing with better grip than the Goldert. This is quite suave.In BondSG$561.00 -
Vinous (94-96)
Pale, gold-tinged straw. Intense, pure, utterly captivating aromas of pineapple, passion fruit, caramelized mango, cinnamon and nutmeg. In the mouth, sweet vanilla and toffee apple flavors are at once silky and powerful. Finishes extremely long and pure. A benchmark Gewürztraminer, and a real step up in concentration and complexity from the other 2012 Gewürztraminers at this address. The very old vines grow in two parcels, one planted in the 1920s and the other by Olivier’s grandfather in 1957. Structure-wise, I find this to be very reminiscent of a Rangen Gewürztraminer. In fact, it never ceases to amaze me how saline Zind-Humbrecht’s Hengst Gewürzes can be (and in this sense they are certainly Rangen-like).In BondSG$551.00 -
James Suckling (97)
This gewurz is built on a monumental scale with gigantic concentration and structure, easily filling out the huge body. The abundant fine tannins soak up almost all of the unfermented grape sweetness and drive the very long and texturally complex, spicy finish. Already pretty mind-blowing, but great aging potential! From biodynamically grown grapes. Drinkable now, but best from 2025.In BondSG$152.00 -
Vinous (93)
Bright deep yellow. Smoky camphor, peach and a hint of honeyed pineapple on the showy nose. Enters the mouth fresh, lively and precise, then turns slightly austere, showing noteworthy tannic bite to its orchard fruit and sweet spice flavors. A touch of marmaladey botrytis adds complexity on the lingering, ripe, rich finish. In 2001, high-quality botrytis targeted the Pinot Gris, so that a Sélection de Grains Nobles was produced with the grapes from the vines nearest to the river Thur; it was the grapes from Zind-Humbrecht's other wines in the Clos that were used to produce the bottling I describe here. Check out these numbers: only 13.6% alcohol, 30 g/l residual sugar, and 6.1 g/l total acidity. Utterly irresistible right now; in fact, I don’t think there is much to gain by holding onto it any longer. I remember first tasting this wine when it was released, and it struck me then as uncharacteristically ready to drink from the outset, but the wine's iodiney minerality is starting to take center stage from the fruit elements. In 2001, a cold and rainy September had many producers anxious, but the warmest October on record to that point ensured a clean, glitch-free harvest. “This was a rare year in which we were out harvesting in tee shirts, thanks to 28°C days in October,” Olivier Humbrecht reminisced. And at 36 hectoliters per hectare, 2001 was also a very generous year for production by the standards of the Clos.In BondSG$150.00 -
Vinous (94)
Dark golden yellow. White peach, green apple, minerals and botanical herbs on the forward but refined nose, complicated by a hint of spicy botrytis. Sweet, dense and leesy, conveying a compelling, delicately creamy texture and outstanding depth to its lemony noble rot-accented baked apple and herbal flavors. Finishes vibrant and long, with only a hint of residual sweetness (27.6 g/ residual sugar balanced by 6.3 g/l total acidity, with a 3.7 pH). Though less showy than most of the other vintages in this tasting, it showcases the classic, harmonious personality typical of the 2005 vintage in Alsace; but in perfect Rangen style it is still a rather powerful wine (15.3% alcohol). Humbrecht told me that 2005 featured the latest harvest start in 15 years and that some noble rot hit the Clos in 2005, but significantly less than in his other vineyards closer to Turckheim. The yield was a low 26 hectoliters per hectare.In BondSG$565.00 -
In BondSG$768.00 -
James Suckling (98)
The most powerful and deepest pinot gris of this vintage from Zind Humbrecht with a ton of smoke, creme-brulee and mushroom character. In spite of the almost 15% alcoholic content, it is properly dry and has a wonderful liveliness at the finish. Drink or hold. Made from biodynamically grown grapes.In BondSG$1,390.00 -
James Suckling (98)
Super smoky, spicy and flinty, this imposing and enveloping pinot gris is barely off-dry. Welcome to a world of smoky and textural complexity on the deep and refined palate. The power and concentration are almost as complete as the ripeness, effortlessly handling the 13.5% alcohol. Super-long, creamy and spicy finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.In BondSG$671.00 -
James Suckling (95)
This self-confidently atypical pinot gris has astonishing acidity that’s got the intensity of a lightning strike. Tons of pineapple and toast character, but also gigantic, lemony freshness at the exceptionally bright finish. May be too extreme for some, but we find this amazing. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.In BondSG$413.00 -
(6x75cl) 2008Vinous (93+)
Pale, golden-tinge yellow. Clean aromas of pineapple, orange marmalade, sweet spices and minerals are complicated by an exotic note of cinnamon and a hint of noble rot. Richer and riper on the palate than the Rangen, with soft apricot and tropical fruit flavors lifted by a lemongrass nuance. The finishing flavors of sweet pear and apricot are extremely long and pure. The Brand is almost always a bigger wine than the Rangen, and the numbers tell the story: 13.7% alcohol, 10 g/l r.s. and 7.3 g/l acidity. I had trouble choosing between this and the '08 Rangen: they're both great wines.In BondSG$794.00 -
Vinous (96+)
Bright straw-yellow. Very pure, clean, fresh aromas and flavors of yellow peach, lime, botanical herbs, sweet spices and a touch of orange jam. Then rich and dense, showing real concentration and depth to the lingering, repeating citrus and spice nuances. Finishes with an enticing multilayered quality, not to mention outstanding length. A fantastic wine. In 2016 Humbrecht did not use any grapes from his younger vines to make this wine, because he felt they had suffered some water stress that led to difficult fermentations and ultimately a different-tasting wine.In BondSG$701.00 -
(6x75cl) 2006In BondSG$752.00 -
Vinous (95)
Bright straw-yellow. Penetrating aromas and flavors of minerals, lavender, lemon and vanilla bean are very long and clean and display laser-like precision. The enamel-shattering acidity (the pH of 2.9 is really quite low) is buffered by a very ripe mouthfeel and a little bit of residual sugar (roughly 11 g/L residual sugar, though because of all that acidity, the wine tastes classically dry). Amazing purity of fruit and a crystalline mouthfeel bode well for this wine’s future; at once very acidic but also very ripe, this is a really amazing effort from Humbrecht. Very well done.In BondSG$147.00 -
(6x75cl) 2018Vinous (96)
One of the standouts in this range, the 2018 Riesling Clos Windsbuhl is incredibly vivid in the glass. Time in the glass brings out myriad layers of flavor and dimension. Orange confit, crushed rocks, mint and more exotic notes all meld together in an airy, weightless wine that has so much to offer. The 2018 is at once intense but also carries itself with a real sense of grace.In BondSG$701.00 -
James Suckling (95)
Still very youthful, with a wealth of cool and delicate herbal and stone-fruit aromas. Very straight and vertical, with super-elegant and energetic acidity. Tons of chalky power, but the fruit is only just beginning to open up on the sleek but very compact palate. I love the really long, fragrant finish. The structure and harmony for very long aging! From biodynamically grown grapes. Drinkable now, but best from 2024In BondSG$129.00 -
In BondSG$128.00 -
(6x75cl) 2006Vinous (89)
(14% alcohol with 8.8 g/l r.s.) Bright lemon-yellow color. Floral honey, ripe citrus fruits and apricot on the nose; hints at a late-harvest character. Then broad and sexy in the mouth but racy, with a slightly glyceral, honeyed texture cut by firm acidity. A very tactile, nicely balanced wine with a subtle sweetness. Finishes gripping and long. Today I prefer this to the 2007, but of course the newer vintage was not yet in bottle in September.In BondSG$524.00 -
(6x75cl) 2018In BondSG$358.00 -
James Suckling (97)
A unique dry riesling with an astonishing combination of mini banana, mirabelle, baking spice and sea salt. Super concentrated and super elegant, this has a level of poise that’s very rare in the 2018 vintage. I love the way the silky finish caresses the palate. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.In BondSG$654.00 -
James Suckling (98)
This dry riesling masterpiece is full of seeming contradictions that give it a sense of mystery you very rarely find. So rich and concentrated, yet also astonishingly vivid and precise, the aromas range from smoke to roses, although the most obvious note is the peachy one up front. Breathtakingly long and complete finish with so much mineral complexity. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.In BondSG$281.00 -
James Suckling (98)
This dry riesling masterpiece is full of seeming contradictions that give it a sense of mystery you very rarely find. So rich and concentrated, yet also astonishingly vivid and precise, the aromas range from smoke to roses, although the most obvious note is the peachy one up front. Breathtakingly long and complete finish with so much mineral complexity. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.In BondSG$208.00 -
James Suckling (98)
This dry riesling masterpiece is full of seeming contradictions that give it a sense of mystery you very rarely find. So rich and concentrated, yet also astonishingly vivid and precise, the aromas range from smoke to roses, although the most obvious note is the peachy one up front. Breathtakingly long and complete finish with so much mineral complexity. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.In BondSG$735.00 -
James Suckling (99)
So smoky, with intense gunpowder character, but also notes of forest mushrooms and jack fruit. This is not only very concentrated, but also has an amazingly sensual mouth-feel that sets out in the wide field of exciting dry Alsace rieslings from the 2020 vintage. Expands and expands as it flows over your palate until it blows your mind at the unbelievably long, smoky finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.In BondSG$577.00 -
James Suckling (98)
Welcome to the dark side of the dry riesling force where gunpowder meets the stone at the heart of the peach. Dazzling racy intensity. Super-long and pure with a mountain of crushed rock character at the smoky finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.In BondSG$181.00 -
Wine Advocate (99)
The late-budding and rather late-ripening Clos Saint-Urbain, in the very south of Alsace, meets the very warm and solar 2022 vintage in this wine. What a thrilling setting this is, the more so since August and September brought rather cooler conditions to this cooler but, due to its dark soils and stony terraces in summer, nevertheless warm terroir of the Rangen. Indeed, the pH level was rather low in 2022 (at 3.1) and caused a dry and tense Riesling that doesn't at all show the characteristics of the Rieslings around Turckheim or elsewhere in Alsace.In BondSG$788.00

