Trimbach, 'Frederic Emile' Riesling, Alsace, France, 2017

Overview of the Wine
The Trimbach’s have a purist vision. For three centuries and across 13 generations, the family has produced wines that are structured, longlived, fruity, elegant and balanced: the celebrated Trimbach style. The family personally looks after each operation, from planting to harvests and from vinification to bottling. The viticultural origin of the Trimbach family dates back to 1626, when Jean Trimbach, was recognized as a citizen of Riquewihr. From then on, the Trimbach’s were renowned for their wine-growing. Maison Trimbach’s vineyards are all situated around Ribeauville (Ribeauville, Hunawihr, Bergheim, Rorschwihr, Riquewihr and Mittlewihr). They benefit from the unique Alsatian microclimate, thanks to the Vosges Mountains protection, which preserves the plain from the rain. The vineyards were planted on the Ribeauville’s fault line that fractured 50 million years ago between the Vosges Mountain range and the Black Forest offering a mosaic of terroirs including the complex calcareous limestone and bio-degraded seashell fossils called “Muschelkalk”. Trimbach Réserves are the result of a rigorous selection from mostly old vineyards in Ribeauvillé and the surrounding villages, producing more complex wines with longer ageing potential.

In the 1960’s, the Trimbach family decided that it was time for a second great dry Riesling, thus Cuvée Frédéric Émile, the signature wine of the Trimbach family was created.

The plot of the Frédéric Émile straddles the Grands Crus Osterberg and Geisberg in Ribeauvillé, overlooking the winery. The plot has marl-calcaro-sandstone soils, south-southeast exposure, steep slope, and old vines 55+ years old.

Winemaker
Pierre Trimbach 

Grape / Blend
Riesling

Origin
Alsace, France

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
Exposed south and south-east, the Grands Crus Geisberg and Osterberg terroirs of Ribeauvillé which overlook the estate have given birth to this wine for several generations.

The average age of the vines, around 45 years, offers limited yields.

The marl-limestone-sandstone and shell limestone composition of the terroir (Muschelkalk), as well as the well-ripened grapes strictly selected by hand, give this wine a remarkable personality: a dry and powerful Riesling, underlined by a mineral note and with finely chopped acidity.

Prestigious signature of the house, the Frédéric Emile, often nicknamed FE or Freddie, is sought after by connoisseurs and collectors.

Pairs with great gastronomy, noble fish, caviar, fine white meats. The great vintages of Frédéric Emile mature for twenty years or more. 

97 Points - Wine Enthusiast
Tart lemon has an edge of softness reminiscent of a fresh Mirabelle tart. The palate of this wine majors on bright lemon juiciness with mouthwatering efficiency. For now, the wine is tight, clenched and needs to come out of its shell and share its stony secrets. It offers wonderful concentration, poise and a bone-dry finish. Drink 2025–2045. (AK)

95 Points - James Suckling
Poured from a magnum, this age-worthy wine is snappy and precise in texture, offering abundant minerals, orange zest and white peach in the aroma and crisp, stony flavors on the palate. Focused, invigorating and still young, it will drink best from 2028.

95 Points - Vinous
Bright straw. Clean, vibrantly mineral and racy aromas and flavors of green apple, pear and lime. Ripe yet brightly acidic, this exhibits a penetrating quality on the long, juicy, ginger- and mineral-accented finish. Very compact, dense and still youthful Riesling. Outstanding. (ID)

94 Points - Wine Spectator
This shows the gentility of age, with spiced apple, pear jelly and quince flavors held aloft by lemony acidity and a solid foundation of chalky mineral. Lime zest, fennel seed and cool gravel line the compact, savory finish, which is slightly grippy in feel, giving impressive textural complexity. Drink now through 2032. —K.B.

Product size: 750ml