2003 Trimbach Riesling Clos St-Hune

Current release. Very ripe nose with hints of lime blossom. Quite open. Very big palate entry, just this side of oily with a beguiling hint of nuttiness. Lovely sprightly acidity – so much so that this wine was wonderfully refreshing even when tasted at room temperature – and big, broad and beefy. Tasted separately from the other wines in this range. Long but I would be surprised if this were the longest lasting Clos Ste Hune. There’s also a more marked astringency on the finish than most other vintages at this point, suggesting the grape skins were unusually thick. (JR)

Distinctly candied aroma of pineapple syrup. Silky on entry, then fairly dry but exotic in the middle palate, with a strong liquid stone flavor and some apparent alcohol. A powerful, dense wine that tastes a bit sweeter than its 8 grams of sugar despite its pronounced stony character. Conveys a strong impression of soil character. Trimbach notes that the wine began exotic, with limited complexity, but is much more minerally now. Also tasted: 2004 Gewurztraminer*.