Famille Hugel
Riesling SCHOELHAMMER 2010
As far back as family memories go, the Schoelhammer, at the heart of the historic Schoenenbourg vineyard which overlooks Riquewihr, has always been amongst our most favoured single vineyards. From 2007 we decided that the Riesling from this exceptional site, traditionally vinified apart, also merited to be bottled separately. Schoelhammer seeks to reveal the unique character of a dry, mineral Riesling from a marl-rich terroir, deep and suave in style, and which takes time to express itself fully.
Specifications
Alcohol content : 13.3 % vol.
Residual Sugar : 6.9 g/l
Tartaric acidity : 8.02 g/l
pH : 3.1
Age of vines : 26 Years years old
Yield : 30 hl/ha hL/ha
Presentation
Quick View
This dry Riesling was grown in the Famille Hugel's famous Schoelhammer plot. With great ageing potential, it comes from the finest vineyard slope of Riquewihr, historically known as Schoenenberg.
Its triassic clay-marl terroir is farmed organically so as to best reveal the complexity of its rich sub-soil.
After extended bottle ageing in the family's historic cellars in Riquewihr, today this fine dry Riesling has achieved its first stage of development.
Only 2534 bottles 750ml were produced, no half-bottles
Its triassic clay-marl terroir is farmed organically so as to best reveal the complexity of its rich sub-soil.
After extended bottle ageing in the family's historic cellars in Riquewihr, today this fine dry Riesling has achieved its first stage of development.
Only 2534 bottles 750ml were produced, no half-bottles
The vintage
The winter of 2010 was particularly harsh, with more than 30 days below zero, and temperatures dropped as far as -17°C. Budburst on 8 April was early, but flowering which began on 10 June took almost 3 weeks to finish due to cool temperatures. July was exceptionally hot and sunny, before cold, damp and rainy weather set in throughout August and into September. Ideal weather conditions returned on 11 September, with not a drop of rain for 6 weeks. Our harvest began on 27 September and ended on 26 October. Maturity reached record levels, the highest for 50 years, with good acidity, similar to 1996. Crop size was 30% below average, and even lower for Gewurztraminer.
Superb wines with magnificent balance, purity and fruit. 2010 is a great classic vintage, with good ageing potential.
Superb wines with magnificent balance, purity and fruit. 2010 is a great classic vintage, with good ageing potential.
In the vineyard
Produced in the finest plot of the Hugel estate in the heart of the grand cru Schoenenbourg. Schoelhammer covers a mere 6 300 square metres (67 800 square feet), 30 rows of vines dedicated to Riesling and organically farmed. Schoelhammer's specific vines grow on Triassic Keuper marl soil from the secondary era (marine sediments, c.200 million years) with a 45% clay content, planted at an altitude of 300 metres, facing due south, on a slope that averages 25 degrees.
Winemaking
The grapes are taken in small tubs to the presse, which is filled by gravity, without any pumping or other mechanical intervention.
After pressing, the must is decanted for a few hours, then fermented in temperature-controlled vats (at 18°C). The wine is racked just once, before natural clarification during the course of the winter. The following spring, the wine is lightly filtered just before bottling, and the bottles are then aged extensively in our cellars until released for sale.
After pressing, the must is decanted for a few hours, then fermented in temperature-controlled vats (at 18°C). The wine is racked just once, before natural clarification during the course of the winter. The following spring, the wine is lightly filtered just before bottling, and the bottles are then aged extensively in our cellars until released for sale.
Presentation
Download here the brochure about Schoelhammer
Pronounced "shell hammer" : the coat of arms combines the fossils found in the Schoelhammer soil together with the hammer, a tool used every day by Emile Hugel (1869-1950), master-cooper and winegrower like his father.
Pronounced "shell hammer" : the coat of arms combines the fossils found in the Schoelhammer soil together with the hammer, a tool used every day by Emile Hugel (1869-1950), master-cooper and winegrower like his father.
Varietal
Riesling : 100%
Specifications
Alcohol content : : 13.3 % vol.
Residual Sugar : : 6.9 g/l
Tartaric acidity : : 8.02 g/l
pH : : 3.1
Age of vines : : 26 Years years old
Yield : : 30 hl/ha hL/ha
Advice
Video
Tasting notes by Serge Dubs, World's Best Sommelier 1989
Absolutely superb on the eye, concentrated and dense with a nice structure and profile, golden apple yellow with soft green reflections and highlights, a sparkling, crystalline, lively robe that is youthful and very alert for a ten year old wine of the region with such a very bright future before it. Perfect legs.
Elegantly bewitches the nose with its aroma.
The bouquet is complex, fruity, floral and combines perfectly with its magnificent saline minerality. It has a wonderful harmony with just the right amount of the Riesling grape variety’s taught and lively freshness to underline its generosity and vinosity.
It hits the palate with energy, freshness and a perfectly balanced and very classy, taught, juicy and full-bodied acidity in association with a complex, full-flavoured finish and all of the Schoelhammer region’s minerality. It has the beating heart of the greatest Grands Crus D’Alsace.
A truly sensational wine that can be served right away. This is a wine that could also be laid down for 10 to 20 years, which would give you a chance to really appreciate the wonderful minerality of a truly great Riesling grape.
Best served between 8° and 10° C.
A fine wine for gastronomic cuisine
Serve with fish: Turbot, Saint Pierre, sole, Zander, pike, lobster, king prawns, crab, white meat, poultry, veal ribs, partridge. Roasted or grilled.
With the more refined, creamy sauces or juices. Or just enjoy it in the company of other Riesling lovers.
Elegantly bewitches the nose with its aroma.
The bouquet is complex, fruity, floral and combines perfectly with its magnificent saline minerality. It has a wonderful harmony with just the right amount of the Riesling grape variety’s taught and lively freshness to underline its generosity and vinosity.
It hits the palate with energy, freshness and a perfectly balanced and very classy, taught, juicy and full-bodied acidity in association with a complex, full-flavoured finish and all of the Schoelhammer region’s minerality. It has the beating heart of the greatest Grands Crus D’Alsace.
A truly sensational wine that can be served right away. This is a wine that could also be laid down for 10 to 20 years, which would give you a chance to really appreciate the wonderful minerality of a truly great Riesling grape.
Best served between 8° and 10° C.
A fine wine for gastronomic cuisine
Serve with fish: Turbot, Saint Pierre, sole, Zander, pike, lobster, king prawns, crab, white meat, poultry, veal ribs, partridge. Roasted or grilled.
With the more refined, creamy sauces or juices. Or just enjoy it in the company of other Riesling lovers.
