2019 Trimbach - Riesling Cuvee Frederic Emile (750ml)
Produced since the 1960s and named for a Trimbach ancestor, Frédéric Émile has always been produced from a single plot of vines, straddling the Grands Crus Osterberg and Geisberg in Ribeauvillé, overlooking the winery. The steeply sloped plot has marl-calcaro-sandstone soils and a south-southeast exposure with old vines reaching 55+ years old. Like so many years ending in the number 9, 2019 was exceptional, epitomizing finesse, elegance, purity, precision, and concentration. Cold temperatures in the spring slowed the growth of the vines. June brought dry, very hot weather, followed by beneficial rains in August. Conditions at harvest were warm and dry, with perfect maturity and superb balance between sugar and acidity.
The grapes are crushed and delicately pressed in a pneumatic press, then vinified to dryness in stainless steel vats and old casks. No MLF, or long aging on lees in order to preserve freshness and fruit-forward aromas. The wine was bottled in spring and, after seven years of aging, it is only just beginning to come into its own and will continue to develop and age beautifully for decades to come.