The
wines of Trimbach, Alsace
An in depth tasting of the wines from this leading Alsace producer
Website: www.maison-trimbach.com
The Trimbach family can date their
winegrowing activities back as far as 1626, and through 12
generations. They’re based in Ribeauvillé (they moved
here after the First World War), roughly in the middle
of the Alsace wine region, which consists of a narrow strip of
vineyards running north to south in the northeastern corner of
France, on the German border.
The firm in its current form was
developed by Frédéric Emile Trimbach in the latter part of the 19th
century. His initials are still used in the official name of the
company, and one of Trimbach’s top Riesling cuvées
bears his name.
Trimbach makes a broad range of wines
from their own vineyard holdings and also bought-in grapes. The
house style is quite a dry one, and they avoid using the Alsace
Grand Cru vineyard names which were introduced in the 1970s. The
only vineyard designation seen on their wines is with Clos St Hune,
which comes from a 1.3 hectare plot near Hunawihr (part of the
Rosacker vineyard). This is a dry Riesling that is one of Alsace’s
most famous wines, and ages beautifully.
The other celebrity wine in the portfolio
is the Cuvée
Frédéric Emile Riesling. At less than half the price of Clos St
Hune, it’s the smart buy here, because it is fabulous and also
ages brilliantly.
THE
WINES
Trimbach Riesling Réserve
2009
Taut, limey, lemony fruit here. Very precise, fresh and lemony. Dry
and clean. 88/100
Trimbach Riesling Cuvée Frédéric
Emile 2005
Lovely aromatics: full, fresh and intense with lemon and richer
melon notes. The palate is dense with some lime fruit and nice acid.
Complex and dry with subtle creamy notes on the finish. 93/100
Trimbach Riesling Cuvée Frédéric
Emile 2002
Dense, complex and pithy with lemon and mineral notes. Dry with
lovely precision and some richer crystalline fruit notes. Developing
some complexity. 93/100
Trimbach Riesling Cuvée Frédéric
Emile 2001
Waxy, citrussy, herby nose. Really complex and evolving nicely.
The palate has notes of citrus, melon and wax with nice structure
and density. Developing very nicely. 94/100
Trimbach Riesling Cuvée Frédéric
Emile 2000
Taut citrus nose with a savoury, mineral dimension. The palate
shows honey and citrus, with some nutty notes. Great acidity and
precision here. 93/100
Trimbach Riesling Cuvée Frédéric
Emile 1999
Quite dry and a little austere. Fresh, pure and lemony with a
herbal edge. Long, precise and dry. 92/100
Trimbach Riesling Cuvée Frédéric
Emile 1989
Beautifully aromatic with notes of honey, melon and apricot, as
well as citrus fruit. Open, ripe and thrilling. The palate has a
rounded character and shows nuts, apricots and honey. Broad with
lovely intensity. 95/100
Trimbach Riesling Clos Ste Hune 2005
Dense, focused and taut with lovely comcentration and intensity.
Lemons, limes, minerals dominate. Dry, pure, long and intense.
94/100
Trimbach Riesling Clos Ste Hune 2004
Slightly honeyed nose with intense liminess. Combines richness
and freshness. The palate is dense and waxy with melon and lemon
fruity notes. A richer style of Ste Hune
Trimbach Riesling Clos Ste Hune 1985
Evolved, complex, nutty nose with some citrus, wax and lanolin
notes. Lively and pure. The palate has a savoury, nutty quality and
some toastiness, as well as lemony fruit. Very appealing. 93/100
Trimbach Pinot Gris Réserve
2007
Taut and precise with nice fruit and a bit of grapey, spicy
richness. 87/100
Trimbach Pinot Gris Réserve
Personelle 2005
Rich and grapey with lovely fruit, nice texture and notes of
herbs and citrus. A bit of sweetness here. 90/100
Trimbach Gewürztraminer Réserve 2005
Lovely nose of rose petal and Turkish delight. Grapey and
textured with lovely balance. 91/100
Trimbach Gewürztraminer Cuvée des
Seigneurs de Ribeaupierre
Aromatic, rich, grapey and textured. Pretty but not overblown.
Lovely depth and subtle rose petal notes. 92/100
Trimbach Riesling Vendange Tardive
2002
Intense, waxy, citrussy nose leads to a bold, dense, waxy palate
with textured, spicy citrus fruits and some melony richness. 94/100
Trimbach Gewürztraminer Vendandge
Tardive 2005
Rich, grapey and textured with some broad melon and peach notes.
Grapey, spicy edge. Very lush and smooth showing sweetness but also
nice balance. 93/100
Trimbach Gewürztraminer Sélection de Grains Nobles 1989
Very sweet, open nose with notes of apples, lychees and cream.
The palate is bold, dense and sweet with rich grapey notes. Long
finish. Sweet and harmonious. 94/100
Trimbach Gewürztraminer Sélection de Grains Nobles 2001
Luscious and rich with notes of grape, peach and spice. Bold,
viscous and sweet with lovely intensity and great concentration.
92/100
Trimbach Pinot Gris Vendange Tardive
2000
Very rich, ripe nose is aromatic and spicy with notes of grape
and apple. The palate is ripe and sweet with appley fruit and lively
acidity. Lovely texture and a spicy bite on the finish. 93/100
Trimbach Riesling Frédéric Emile Sélection
de Grains Nobles 2001
Complex, spicy and lively nose with citrus fruit as well as
waxy, herby notes. The palate is rich and lively with apricot and
citrus notes, good acidity and a long finish. 93/100
Wines
tasted 07/11
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