Gewurztraminer Grossi Laue 2010
Famille Hugel
Grossi Laüe signifies the finest vineyards in Alsace dialect and represents an equivalent to the German Grosses Gewächs or the Burgundian Grand Cru.
Terroir: Produced in a selection of the oldest plots of the Hugel estate in the heart of the grand cru Sporen made up of Lias clay-marl, decalcified on the surface, exceptionally rich in phosphoric acid.
Vinification: The grapes are taken in small tubs to the presses, which are filled by gravity, without any pumping or other mechanical intervention. After pressing, the must is decanted for a few hours, then fermented in temperature-controlled barrels or vats (at 18 to 24°C). The wine is racked just once, before natural clarification during the course of the winter. The following spring, the wine is lightly filtered just before bottling, and the bottles are then aged extensively in the cellars until released for sale. The whole production of this wine is closed with DIAM the cork without the risk of cork taint.
From The Wine Advocate “Starting with the 2010 vintage, the Grossi Laüe range succeeds the Jubilee line, which was introduced to celebrate the family’s 350th anniversary in 1989, with the finest dry Hugel wines made from Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir.
Grossi Laüe (Grosse Lage in German) signifies the finest vineyards in Alsace dialect and represents an equivalent to the German Grosses Gewächs or the Burgundian Grand Cru. It is the first time since the Second World War that Hugel uses Alemannic terms like Grossi Laüe or Schoelhammer on the label. Etienne Hugel points out: “After Réserve Exceptionnelle in the 1930s, Réserve Personnelle in the 1960s and the 20 years of Jubilee, Schoelhammer and Grossi Laüe mark a veritable return to the timeless cultural values of our family, deeply anchored in our historic vineyard terroirs. We have finally left the denial of everything what’s Alemannic behind us. It’s time to speak Alsace dialect now.””
Additional Information
“The winter of 2010 was particularly harsh, with more than 30 days below zero, and temperatures dropped as far as -17°C. Budburst on 8 April was early, but flowering which began on 10 June took almost 3 weeks to finish due to cool temperatures. July was exceptionally hot and sunny, before cold, damp and rainy weather set in throughout August and into September. Ideal weather conditions returned on 11 September, with not a drop of rain for 6 weeks. Our harvest began on 27 September and ended on 26 October. Maturity reached record levels, the highest for 50 years, with good acidity, similar to 1996. Crop size was 30% below average, and even lower for Gewurztraminer. Superb wines with magnificent balance, purity and fruit. 2010 is a great classic vintage, with good ageing potential.” ?Etienne Hugel
Great classic Gewurztraminer which will gain in complexity and spiciness for 8 years or more. Its suave and long complex aftertaste will make it the ideal partner to strong cheeses and spicy dishes.
The spice of Alsace and one of Famille Hugel’s signature wines. It is both aromatic and extroverted through its floral and spicy notes. Gewurztraminer is an invitation to accompany a variety of spicy Asian dishes as well as smoked salmon and strong cheeses.
Technical Details
- Appellation: Alsace
- Winemaker: Marc Hugel
- Sustainability: Organic Practices
- Soil: Lias clay-marl
- Avg Vine Age: 30 years
- Yield: 45 hl/ha
- Alcohol: 14.8%
- Ttl Acidity: 4.42 g/l
- Residual Sugar: 20 g/l
- Sizes Available: 750ml, 375ml
- Pack Size: 6/750ml
- Varietals: 100% Gewurztraminer
Recent Press
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Score: 92 Points
Wine Spectator Author: Alison Napjus
Date: Monday, February 22, 2016"Aromatic, with abundant ground spice, citrus peel and fresh-chopped herb flavors, this vibrant, medium-bodied white shows a creamy palate of melon, peach skin, candied kumquat, lychee and guava, backed by racy acidity and a mineral element. Drink now through 2028." -
The Wine Advocate Author: Stephan Reinhardt
Date: Monday, February 22, 2016"The 2010 Gewurztraminer Grossi Lae is clear and fresh on the nose, and very dense and almost oily textured on the initially sweet palate. This concentrated and firmly structured 2010 is still very young and slightly bitter in the finish, but very promising."Grade: 92+ Points -
Score: 91 Points
Vinous Author: Ian D'Agata
Date: Monday, February 22, 2016"Good pale, bright yellow. Highly expressive aromas of canned peach, candied mango, cinnamon, nutmeg, lichee and cured meats. Round, ripe and pure, with deep, pliant fruit and spice flavors offering plenty of varietal character. This very refined gewurztraminer is lifted on the long finish by fresh balancing acidity."
