From Best of 2015, Top White Wine Producer: Trimbach, Alsace, France

Dec 28, 2015 | Blog


Trimbach continues to turn out stunningly tasteful, beautiful wines year after year (and indeed, generation after generation, and century after century…since 1626).  With production based on vineyard holdings of a little more than 100 acres (more than 30% of which hold Grand Cru status), this house has never seemed to slip since at least the 1970s. 

I’m not old enough to vouch for wines older than that (though I’ve tasted multiple wines from the ’70s on site in Ribeauville), but let’s just acknowledge that 45 years of unbroken excellence seems to indicate a trend.  Aside from a rather distractingly sweet Pinot Gris, the wines are all impeccably dry and marked by edgy acidity and prominent minerality.

Riesling is definitely the ticket for Trimbach, and at the single most electrifying tasting I participated in during 2015 (at TexSom in the Dallas area in August), Jean Trimbach showed a retrospective lineup of Riesling Cuvée Frédéric Emile and Riesling Clos Ste. Hune that brought down the house (and the house was filled with 200+ wine trade professionals–who might be a bit jaded on other occasions, but were borderline worshipful in the presence of these wines). 

Particular highlights: 

Riesling Cuvée Frédéric Emile 2009 (95 points), 2005 (94), 2002 (95), 1998 (96), 1989 (96) and 1983 (95)

Riesling Clos Ste. Hune 2009 (96), 2008 (97) 1990 (98), 1985 (99), 1976 (95!)

Riesling Clos Ste. Hune Vendanges Tardives Hors Choix 1989 (98). 

That these wines could be flown from France to Texas and perform like this is astonishing.  That Jean Trimbach could report that 2014 might be the best vintage for Riesling ever in Alsace makes my mouth water…four months later. 

Congratulations to Jean Trimbach and his family…exemplars to everyone who works with white varieties anywhere in the world.

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