At a glance

Producer

Domaine Zind-Humbrecht

Region

Alsace Grand Cru Rangen de Thann, France

Grape variety

Riesling

Wine type

White

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Off-Dry

Typical price

$110-$180 (auction/retail, 2024)

Tasting profile

Rich, layered and intensely mineral with notes of smokey flint, citrus peel, candied lime, ripe apricot, honey, herbal and saline undertones. Texture is broad, mouthcoating and persistent, with laser-sharp acidity and a long, dry, savory finish.

Evolution: Fruit subtleties have evolved into richer dried stonefruit, spice, petrol and grillé/flinty mineral. Acidity and mineral grip remain vibrant; secondary flavors (beeswax, honeycomb, smoke) intensify.

At peak: The wine is now showing maximum aromatic complexity and textural harmony, with pronounced mineral grip, evolved citrus/honey notes, touch of savory aged depth, and very long, clean finish.

Structure

Acidity

High

Tannins

None (white wine)

Alcohol

Approximately 13.5%

Aging potential

Very high for dry Riesling; Clos Saint Urbain typically ages gracefully 15-25+ years from vintage

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2019 to 2041

Optimal window

2016 to 2044

Current status

Ready to drink

Current condition

At peak or just beyond; developing rich tertiary complexity with further cellaring possible

The 2009 Clos Saint Urbain Rangen Riesling is known for exceptional longevity due to its high acidity and intense volcanic minerality. By 2024, it has traversed its primary fruit peak and is revealing its layered mature character, with at least 5-10+ years of further graceful evolution possible. For those who love tertiary, mineral, and smokey complexity, now through 2028 is an optimal drinking window.

Food pairing

Ideal with smoked trout, lobster with beurre blanc, roasted poultry with truffles, veal with cream and morels, strong aged goat cheese, Alsatian choucroute, or Thai green curry.

Serving

Serving temperature

10-12°C / 50-54°F

Decant

Yes (30-60 minutes) — Bottled with minimal filtration and significant lees aging; decanting opens up the aromatic range and expresses the volcanic terroir while rounding any reduction.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 9/10

Domaine Zind-Humbrecht is a European leader in sustainable viticulture: full organic and biodynamic farming since 1997, no systemic chemicals, cover crops, horse-drawn plowing, indigenous yeasts, gravity-flow cellar, minimal sulfites, heavy emphasis on biodiversity, and strict hand-harvest. Water and energy use are carefully minimized. Bottles are heavy glass (typical for Alsace prestige), but in recent years, Zind-Humbrecht has considered lighter glass options.

Domaine Zind-Humbrecht’s Clos Saint Urbain is held globally as a paragon of regenerative, organic, and biodynamic wine production. Its full Demeter certification covers soil, vine, and wine stewardship—avoiding pesticides, supporting biodiversity, and encouraging resilient ecosystems. Energy inputs are responsible, water is carefully managed, and the environmental impact of viticulture is minimal. The principal non-ideal aspects are heavy glass use and unavoidable transport emissions for exports, but overall, this is among the world’s most sustainably produced fine wines.