Famille Hugel - Pinot Gris Classic 2015
Overview
"Classic" Pinot Gris is one of the Hugel family secrets first released with the fabulous 2006 vintage.
This new release is from a drastic selection of the best grapes purchased from winegrowers under long-term contract in a dozen of the most favored localities in and around the village of Riquewihr and includes an sizable amount of grapes declassified from some Grand Cru vineyards of the Hugel estate.
The hand picked grapes were taken intact to the presses, filled by gravity, the must decanted for a few hours, then fermented in temperature-controlled vats with natural yeasts. The wine is the purest expression of the grapes, with a very natural and non-intervention vinification.
From The Wine Advocate "New is the Classic (former Hugel) range that represents "the essence of the pure, dry Famille Hugel style" and now includes Muscat and Pinot Gris, along with all the other noble grapes. The grapes of the Classic range are predominantly purchased but obligatory hand-picked from vineyards with clay-limestone soils in Riquewihr and neighbouring villages, and give classic gastronomic wines with a dry expression."
Additional Details
Quite a deep, intense color, with pronounced straw yellow hints, it is nicely bright, with silky tears that run tightly down the side of the glass. The bouquet is soft and supple, intense, characteristically open and expressive, with fully ripe fruit notes, apricot, greengage, liquorice stick, a touch of buttery brioche, sesame seed, pistachio and fresh hazelnut. The wine fills the mouth, it is rich and well constructed, suave, velvety, soft and almost juicy, with a nice long aromatic finish.Technical Details
- Appellation: Alsace
- Winemaker: Marc Hugel
- Sustainability: Sustainable Practices
- Soil: Lias clay-marl
- Vineyard Acreage: textinput
- Avg Vine Age: 35 years
- Yield: 28 hl/ha
- Alcohol: 13%
- Ttl Acidity: 6.32 g/l
- Residual Sugar: 6.9 g/l
- Avg Production: textinput
- Sizes Available: 750ml
- Pack Size: 12/750ml
- UPC Code: Inquire
- Varietals: 100% Pinot Gris
Recent News
Wine Spectator Rating: 90
Author: Alison Napjus
Date: Monday, December 31, 2018
"Light- to medium-bodied and balanced, with juicy acidity providing a clean-cut frame for the silky mix of dried apricot, Marcona almond, honey and orange blossom flavors. Drink now through 2023. 300 cases made, 30 cases imported."
Chicago Tribune
Date: Tuesday, October 30, 2018
"With musky notes and expressions of ripe tropical fruit, melon and buttery bread, this wine features a mouthwatering zing on the finish, plus 13 percent alcohol."
Wine Enthusiast Rating: 90
Author: Anne Krebiehl
Date: Wednesday, July 11, 2018
There is a creamy freshness to the pear notes on the nose. The dry palate delivers friendly, earthy pear fruit on a rounded body that has phenolic texture and bright freshness. This wine is rich, dry and perfectly balanced. The dry finish sings with lemon.
JamesSuckling.com Rating: 91
Author: James Suckling
Date: Friday, June 15, 2018
Quite a lush nose, reflecting the ripeness of the vintage. But the wine is clean and bright on the palate with just a hint of creaminess. Without the little touch of bitterness at the finish, this would have been rated a point higher. Drink now or in 2019 and 2020.
Vinous Rating: 91
Author: Ian D'Agata
Date: Monday, April 30, 2018
Bright straw. Apple, guava and liquid minerals on the nose and palate. Finishes zingy and clean, with persistent pomaceous fruit notes complicated by hints of cinnamon and nutmeg. Marc Hugel mentioned that in hot vintages this wine typically develops the spicy notes of bread pudding and tropical fruits. About 90% bought and 10% estate grapes. This is outstanding. It will go on sale in about six months.
The Wine Advocate Rating: 89
Author: Stephan Reinhardt
Date: Friday, January 19, 2018
The 2015 Pinot Gris Classic is clear, fresh and aromatic, with white-fruit aromas (red-skinned apples), cumin and crushed stones. Full-bodied, intense and aromatic, this is a well-structured and spicy Pinot with a good freshness, grip and tension. Really ripe and with character.
Wine Spectator Rating: 88
Author: Alison Napjus
Date: Friday, October 13, 2017
Balanced and creamy, this light-bodied Pinot Gris offers a well-knit mix of apricot, mandarin orange peel, smoke and spice. Fresh finish. Drink now through 2020.