2010 GEWÜRZTRAMINER HERRENWEG DE TURCKHEIM INTRODUCTION 2010 will probably be considered one of the most extreme vintages in recent years, as we went from - 26°C before Christmas to an extremely hot July. 2010 will also be remembered as one of the smallest crops in Alsace for many years, with yields sometimes up to 70% smaller in some areas. VINEYARD PROFILE For once, being located in one the most precocious area of Alsace didn’t serve the gravely Herrenweg vineyard. The flowering started early June and the vines were in the middle of flowering when the weather changed and became dramatically colder with some rain. The immediate effect, especially on the fragile Gewurztraminer, was a very bad fruit set and many flowers aborted and fell (coulure) or had no or just one pep provoking millerandage. The consequence was a reduced yield that made an extraordinary rich wine. Due to the richness, the fermentation stopped earlier and this wine kept a large amount residual sweetness. We are here very close to the Vendanges Tardive style. WINEMAKER NOTES 3/2012: there was mostly passerillage than botrytis, so the nose is very floral and expressive, showing intense exotic and rose aromas. The small yields prevent the flavours to be too simple and there is a nice overall typical varietal expression. Having stopped with a ‘lower’ alcohol’, the palate shows a nice delicacy and elegant sweetness. In keeping with the 2010 style, there is no extra weight in this wine. Of course, it is a typical ‘end of the meal’ wine, ideal with cheese or desserts. TECHNICAL INFORMATION Bottling date: 9/2011 Alcohol: 12.9° alc Residual sweetness: 69 g/l 4.2 g/l H2SO4 pH: 3.6 Yields: 32 hl/ha Optimum drinking period: 2012-2025 Average age of the vines: 37 years Terroir: gravely soil on valley floor; Indice 5.
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