Famille Hugel
Riesling VENDANGE TARDIVE 1990
great specialty for several generations of the Hugel family, who drafted the law on late harvest.
Wine with great power and longevity to taste religiously by itself during a special occasion.
Wine with great power and longevity to taste religiously by itself during a special occasion.
Specifications
Alcohol content : 12.0° % vol.
Residual Sugar : 16.5 g/l
Presentation
Quick View
These wines made from overripe grapes are picked well after the classic vintage and in the greatest years only. The action of noble rot (botrytis cinerea) gives them an almost unlimited ability to age. They are part of the elite of the greatest wines in France.
The vintage
A truly exceptional vintage in Alsace, part of the famous trilogy of 1988-1989-1990 when, for the first time ever, we were able to produce VENDANGE TARDIVE wines in all 3 varietals in 3 successive vintages. The harvest began on 4th October and ended on 27th November. Thanks to perfect climatic conditions throughout the year, the grapes were fully ripe and so sound that botrytis did not develop.
In the vineyard
Produced from over-ripened grapes in a selection of the oldest plots of the Hugel estate in the heart of the grand cru Schoenenbourg. This fantastic historical terroir has been almost exclusively devoted to Riesling for centuries.
Keuper, marl, dolomite and gypsum, rich in fertilising agents, overlaid with fine layers of quaternary siliceous gravel, Vosges sandstone and Muschelkalk, with at its eastern extremity outcrops of Lias marl limestones.
Harvest date : 23, 26. Oct. & 15. Nov.1990
Potential alcohol : 13°8
Keuper, marl, dolomite and gypsum, rich in fertilising agents, overlaid with fine layers of quaternary siliceous gravel, Vosges sandstone and Muschelkalk, with at its eastern extremity outcrops of Lias marl limestones.
Harvest date : 23, 26. Oct. & 15. Nov.1990
Potential alcohol : 13°8
Winemaking
The grapes are taken in small tubs to the presses, which are 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 barrels or vats (at 18 to 24°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 barrels or vats (at 18 to 24°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
Photos of bottles and labels, 3 definitions, max 300dpi
Varietal
Riesling : 100%
Specifications
Alcohol content : : 12.0° % vol.
Residual Sugar : : 16.5 g/l
Advice
Tasting notes by Serge Dubs, World's Best Sommelier 1989
Magnificent colour, exceptionally deep yellow-gold, bright with crystal-clear green reflections.
Very open, frank bouquet of citrus, grapefruit, rhubarb jam, very floral with a light mineral touch of white truffle, a bouquet that is rich, complex, deep and yet vivacious.
Without losing the liveliness and supple silkiness of very ripe grapes, in perfect harmony, a sign of an exceptional vintage.
Drink now, served at 10°C, or keep 5 to 10 years. Enjoy with fish in rich cream sauce, white truffles, poultry, veal and mushrooms.
June 14, 1997
Very open, frank bouquet of citrus, grapefruit, rhubarb jam, very floral with a light mineral touch of white truffle, a bouquet that is rich, complex, deep and yet vivacious.
Without losing the liveliness and supple silkiness of very ripe grapes, in perfect harmony, a sign of an exceptional vintage.
Drink now, served at 10°C, or keep 5 to 10 years. Enjoy with fish in rich cream sauce, white truffles, poultry, veal and mushrooms.
June 14, 1997
