Famille Hugel - Pinot Gris Hommage a Jean Hugel, 1998
Maison Hugel is part of the history of Alsace. It was founded in 1639 and since then it’s continually expanding. The wine estate owns 25 hectares of vineyard, as well as being a négociant – buying grapes from some 300 local growers. Today Hugel is one of the main ambassadors of Alsace in the wine world.
Maison Hugel is based in the picturesque town of Riquewihr. If you happen to visit this village, make sure you pay a visit to their shop. It’s difficult to miss, being on the main road of Riquewihr. You can sample a vast array of Hugel exquisite wines there, for free!
Over the years, Hugel has featured a consistent style. Most of their wines are rich and opulent, as opposed to some more restrained expressions (Zind-Humbrecht and Trimbach for example). The current winemaker is the skilled Marc Hugel. Apparently knowing every inch of the family vineyards, Marc’s approach is sustainable and biological. He focuses on low-yield, minimal intervention and traditional practices.
The wine has a rich golden hue, deep in intensity. To the nose, this pinot gris is rich, opulent and ripe. Baked quince, fresh fig, apricot and pineapple notes give way to plushy floral notes (jasmine and acacia flowers) which are then followed by nuances of golden raisins and honey. There is also a suggestion of botrytis aroma here, like sweet marmalade and moulded musk.
On the palate, the mouthfeel is rich and the body full. Mellow and juicy, dense and pulpy, the wine texture evokes numerous tactile sensations. Its sweet presence is balanced by the on-point linear acidity. There is a really intriguing balance among the notes of ripe grapefruit, stone fruit, raisins and honey. The long finish is hauntingly aromatic.