Trimbach, 'Brand,' Riesling, Grand Cru, Alsace, France, 2019

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
Very sunny, the Brand is an early, warm, sunny terroir. Legend has it that a dragon fertilized this terroir with his blood, resulting in wines that are both delicate and powerful.
 
The vines are 60+ years old on our 0.8-hectare, south-facing plot, and the young 1-hectare plot was replanted in 2017. 

A very limited production. Ageing potential : 10-15 years.

96 Points - James Suckling
Stunning white-peach and floral aromas pour from the glass, pulling you into this juicy yet super elegant dry riesling, in which the power is beautifully underplayed, right through the very long, filigree finish. A very impressive first vintage of this new addition to the Trimbach range. Drink or hold.

92 Points - Wine Advocate
The 2019 Grand Cru Brand Riesling opens with a delicate and clear, terroir-driven nose with elegant and well-balanced, classic fruit. Round, elegant and saline on the palate, with fine phenols, complexity and finesse, this is a powerful, time-demanding Brand Riesling with good astringency on the still youthful but promising finish. Tasted at the domaine in May 2022.

91 Points - Wine Enthusiast
Although fuller in body, this is very fine and focused—even zesty—with notes of grapefruit and shaved ginger framing the core of quince, apple and gooseberry. Petrol note emerges on the long, well-defined finish. 

Product size: 750ml