'...some of the most complex white wines in the world ' GAVIN SMITH

The 2024 Riesling Wineck-Schlossberg Grand Cru comes from a slightly less exposed but steep granitic site. It is shyer with its charms, but a stony, smoky note already lives in that slight reductive tremor on the nose. The palate is almost bare, almost austere, showing slight smokiness and citrus, but it has distinct fluidity, purity and a superb freshness that will carry this along. This needs time. Distant aromas like candied angelica are a promise. (Bone-dry). ANNE KREBHEL MW

Pale yellow color. Already very expressive given its young age, this Wineck-Schlossberg stands out with its intense, open aromas of citrus, fruit, and an undeniable "granitic" presence. This wine has a brightness and distinction that belies its moderate power. The palate is magnificent, juicy and perfectly salty. It is an elegant wine with a persistence based on its brilliance. OLIVIER HUMBRECHT MW

 

The 2024 Riesling Grand Cru Hengst, grown on marl and limestone, includes a densely planted parcel from 2016. Riper, fragrant citrus shimmers shyly in the glass with a touch of yeast still swinging along. The palate is rounded and juicy, carries a lovely whiff of white pepper and feels lemony, lithe, luminous and playful, always with that peppery verve. This is utterly delicious and so approachable. The finish is bone-dry and utterly lip-smacking. (Bone-dry) (96) ANNE KREBIEHL MW

Intense pale yellow color. Still discreet, the nose is strongly marked by its limestone origin. There are citrus notes, strong minerality, and a hint of tension on the acidity. On the palate, the wine is juicy, intense, and rich, yet precise. The acidity perfectly balances the density imparted by this great terroir. The finish is long and harmonious, with a mouthwatering, well-present acidity. A great Hengst for aging! OLIVIER HUMBRECHT MW

The 2024 Riesling Sommerberg Grand Cru is from the well-drained granite of this steep site. Fragrant citrus zest and lemon imbued with aromatic bergamot overtones are heady with all their charms on the nose. This exquisite fragrance carries over to the palate, where smooth stoniness is pure, charming and uncompromising at once. It is lithe but concentrated, direct and crystalline, and wonderfully straight and energetic. (Bone-dry) (96) ANNE KREBHEL MW

Bright pale yellow color. The nose is already expressive despite the young age of this wine and its very recent bottling. It opens with lovely aromas of ripe fruit with the restraint that comes from the granite soil. This wine has a beautiful brightness that is found on the attack on the palate. Of medium power, this wine is distinguished by its crystalline purity and a beautiful persistence on the finish, marked by a lovely salivation. OLIVIER HUMBRECHT MW

The 2024 Riesling Brand Grand Cru comes from this warm, well-drained granitic site, trembling with flintiness on the nose. The palate is wonderfully fluid and smooth, gliding with its compact, focused but powerful body, cutting a swathe of citrus and leaving a wonderful lemony savor on its clean-cut, pure finish. Grown on granite, from the Steinglitz parcel among others, it shows a slight reductive smokiness and a touch of tart red apple skin. The palate is immediately juicy and salty, with more of that red, tart apple, full of crunch and verve, thrilling and bright, hair-raising even, exciting and full of a beautiful, sunny, vivid, lively energy, like the most delicious jolt of freshness. (Bone-dry) (96) ANNE KREBIEHL MW

Bright pale-yellow colour. The nose is still reserved despite its lovely intensity. The influence of the granite soil is clearly felt, closing the wine in on itself. The tension on the nose is almost palpable. The palate is vibrant, bright, and juicy. On the palate, the Brand reveals its sunny terroir, giving this wine beautiful intensity and power. A long finish is enhanced by ripe and delicate acidity. Made from perfectly ripe grapes, this wine is distinguished by its intricate, lacy structure. A great wine for ageing. OLIVIER HUMBRECHT MW

The 2024 Riesling Rangen de Thann Clos Saint Urbain Grand Cru comes from the volcanic greywacke of this steep site. Wet walnut skin notions on the nose point to reduction. Underneath is crushed citrus foliage with an alluring aroma. The palate is purity, serenity, finesse and flow. The zestiness makes the mouth water while the purity and stoniness are disarming. Zestiness defines the finish of this super-fine, super-elegant expression of Rangen that is utterly firm but filigree. Wonderful. This needs time. (Bone-dry) (97) ANNE KREBHEL MW

Bright pale yellow color. The initial nose is imposing. It requires concentration on the part of the taster, who will certainly be overwhelmed by the extreme volcanic power on the nose. The palate exudes such energy that it commands respect. Everything is there: power, length, intensity, harmony, saline acidity... However, these descriptors cannot convey the emotion that this wine evokes. The Rangen is a harsh terroir that requires heroic viticulture. This wine is the result of that effort, so please appreciate it with respect. OLIVIER HUMBRECHT MW

The 2024 Pinot Gris Rangen de Thann Clos Saint Urbain Grand Cru results from tiny yields of 12 hl/ha. It comes with the merest hint of reduction. The palate, however, expands into complete juiciness that features tart red apple, lemon, grapefruit and pale peach, all framed with a gorgeous, benign bitterness that makes the mouth water. This is beautifully pearl-like in its surface and shape, smooth, supple, luminous and unimpeded. Simply gorgeous. (Bone-dry) (97) ANNE KREBIEHL MW

Intense yellow color. The nose reveals a volcanic wave of great intensity and incredible persistence. No, this is not reduction, but rather the complex aromatic characteristics of the great Rangen wine: smoky, flint, flintstone, sulfurous water, peat... The palate is full-bodied, velvety, intense and finishes with a racy structure where the acidity recalls the late character of the vintage. Production is tiny in 2024, but what a great wine! OLIVIER HUMBRECHT MW

Deep yellow color. On the nose, this wine conveys a sensation of power and firmness. Still restrained, it slowly opens up to reveal strongly spicy aromas, ripe fruit, cured meats, and even smoked ham! The palate is precise and coats the mouth. The signature of the vintage is evident in its firm, juicy, and structured acidity. The wine's power is controlled by its acidic structure and beautiful bitterness, which brings intense salivation on the finish. Like many 2024 wines, this wine will need to be decanted when young. It is a great wine to enjoy with a meal. OLIVIER HUMBRECHT MW

Notes on the 2023 release: It's hard to wrap your head around the supernatural vitality and mineral freshness of this incredibly concentrated dry gewurz. The saline minerality and Amalfi lemon freshness are so dynamic and intense. The purity of the finish is far from what most of the world associates with this grape. From biodynamically grown grapes. (98) STUART PIGGOT

The 2024 Gewurztraminer Rangen de Thann Clos Saint Urbain Grand Cru, from plots lower down on the slope, shimmers shyly on the nose, surrounding ripe pear with just a flutter of rose petals. The palate is beautifully clean cut, adding exquisite blood orange zest and ripeness to the white peach notions on the palate, making for a seductive, scented core. Creaminess comes in, too, sinking deeper and deeper into orange zest. The fact that this has 10.9 grams per liter of residual sugar means that the fruit notions are boosted without obvious sweetness. The balance this strikes is simply marvellous. (Dry) (97) ANNE KREBIEHL MW

Bright yellow color. Still discreet and restrained, the nose reveals an aromatic palette blending ripe fruit and gunflint. This complex profile, bordering on austerity, is actually welcome in this grape variety, which is too often overly expressive. On the palate, the volcanic character (gunflint, smoky) asserts itself with an elegant and refined mouthfeel. A frank acidity enhances the finish and literally makes you forget the semi-dry classification, which here loses all meaning given the balance of this wine. This late 2024 vintage has ultimately produced some magnificent Gewurztraminers that shine with their elegance and gastronomic potential. OLIVIER HUMBRECHT MW