From: Alsace, France
Varietal: Riesling
Taste & Critical Acclaim: “As Alsatian Riesling ages, it becomes more complex and develops mineral, gunflint, stony, or steely notes. It also takes on aromas and flavors of beeswax, lanolin, butter, smoke, pine, or pine forest, honey, butterscotch, mushroom, woodsy spice, lemon candy, and citrus preserve.” This gorgeous and humble gem really leans into all of the above, and when paired with food, it’s incredible. Fruit and citrus come to the forefront, and its steely backbone gives it the ability to pair with so many dishes.
91 Wine Enthusiast
This is a finely balanced wine, showing ripe fruit along with tangy citrus and pineapple flavors. It has weight and richness, with a full, concentrated character. Although this is ready to drink now, it is also worth aging for another year to bring out even more fruit.
Winemaker notes. Beautiful straw color with green edges. Fine mineral fragrance with ginger, caraway seed, underripe pineapple and flowers. Flavors of white peach, quince and lemon on the palate with a lingering, clean and dry finish.
Pairing: (Winemaker notes) Served best with marinated, grilled, or sauced fish, and sushi. Delicious with traditional Alsace dishes like onion tarte, sauerkraut, and pork. This wine will pair well with all the above, but we’d suggest pairing this lovely Riesling with more classic Alsatian dishes or branch out and try new pairings to highlight all those savory notes that come with age. Some ideas include pairing this wine with siu yuk (crispy pork belly), chicken wings or fried chicken served with a mustard dipping sauce, sweet and sour pork or chicken, Peking Duck With Honey and Five-Spice Glaze (check out the recipe below), veal chops with morel mushrooms, five-spice butternut squash in cheesy custard, salt and pepper crab, and our favorite high/low pairing: good ol’ hot dogs with cheese, mustard, and sauerkraut.
Peking Duck With Honey and Five-Spice Glaze
By Kay Chun
Many thanks to importer Taub Family Selections for the following info! Background. The Trimbach’s have a purist vision. For three centuries and across 13 generations, the family has produced wines that are structured, long-lived, fruity, elegant and balanced: the celebrated Trimbach style. The family personally looks after each operation, from planting to harvests and from vinification to bottling.
The viticultural origin of the Trimbach family dates back to 1626, when Jean Trimbach, was recognized as a citizen of Riquewihr. From then on, the Trimbach’s were renowned for their wine-growing. Maison Trimbach’s vineyards are all situated around Ribeauville (Ribeauville, Hunawihr, Bergheim, Rorschwihr, Riquewihr and Mittlewihr).
They benefit from the unique Alsatian microclimate, thanks to the Vosges Mountains protection, which preserves the plain from the rain. The vineyards were planted on the Ribeauville’s fault line that fractured 50 million years ago between the Vosges Mountain range and the Black Forest offering a mosaic of terroirs including the complex calcareous limestone and bio-degraded seashell fossils called “Muschelkalk.”
Terroir. The vines grow on the slopes of the sub-Vosges hills, with soils mostly composed of limestone, sandstone and marl, with southern and southeastern exposures. Thirty percent of the grapes come from Grands Crus including Trimbach’s young vines from GC Kirchberg de Ribeauvillé.
Trimbach is a timeless Alsatian winery beloved in the wine and restaurant business. They’ve been the first introduction to the region for many of us and responsible for many “wow” moments when experiencing the spectrum of taste Riesling can encompass. We’ve included this article from Forbes, written by Tom Hyland, to give you an idea of their range, focus, and philosophy.
Trimbach—The Brilliance Of Riesling
Tom Hyland, October 25, 2023
2009 Alsace Vintage Report, last updated 08/03/20.
By Wine Searcher editorial.
Vintage quality: Excellent
Current condition: Ready to drink, will keep