Among the elite group of Alsatian wine estates, Domaine Zind-Humbrecht stands alone in its relentless dedication to capturing the taste of each of its distinguished vineyards. In the northeast of France, bordering Germany, Alsace's undulating landscape is draped with vineyards, some on markedly steep slopes. In fact, in the 1960s and 1970s, as their neighbors abandoned their tryingly steep vineyard sites, Zind-Humbrecht took the opportunity to expand the winery's holdings of Grands Crus and other high quality vineyards.

With an unbroken winemaking lineage in Alsace since 1620, Domaine Zind-Humbrecht came by its current name in 1959 when Leonard Humbrecht married Genevieve Zind. In the 1960s and 1970s, Leonard was able to expand the winery's collection of Grands Crus and other high quality vineyards. Since then, one of the hallmarks of every Zind-Humbrecht wine has been its overriding sense of terroir: the taste of the vineyard is always clear and unmistakable.

The Hengst comes from two very old plots of Gewurztraminer, one planted by Emile Zind in 1948 and the other acquired in 1978 and supposedly planted in the 1920s. More than age, the selection of plants is exemplary, with antipodes of what is found in modern clones. Gewurztraminer and Hengst form one single organism, it is an ideal marriage, but this is only possible thanks to this selection of plants which has been made with great intelligence and knowledge.

"This 2020 wine displays intense rich ripe white fruits aromas (peach, pears…) alongside spicy notes. Clearly, it is impossible to guess the power of this wine such is the nose complex and delicate, probably the result of a very healthy (no noble rot) vintage. This Hengst tastes soft and unctuous at the beginning, coating the palate with a velvety texture, until, it really unrolls its powerful huge intensity. Numbers made this wine qualify as sweet, but it really tastes barely off-dry. The sensation it leaves on the palate is harmony and length. What a wine, and despite its power, it will be a great match with lots of foods! (grilled, smoked, spicy, marinated… anything with character!)." Winemaker's note.

"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"
97 points.
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com (August 2022)