Hugel Pinot Blanc France Alsace Dry 2005

As expected, the wine shows a few signs of ageing: It has a beautifully mellow, warm aftertaste, yet all of its ripe freshness and citrus and appely notes are still present. On the palate it has a very pleasant acidity that's just right and beautifully woven into a very pleasant smoothness, which works together very well with its light and a little crisp freshness. The finish reveals said mellow and soft flavour wrapped into a creamy texture, giving this wine a long, very pleasant finish that creates a very nice sensation on the tongue. Perhaps that's where the supposedly white almondy read more...notes are to be found, as the winemaker's notes describe it. Anyway, you really sense that this is a very good wine, and it once again leads me to the conclusion that there is no such thing in wines as cheap & cheerful. Just an example: I recently tasted the quite decent French "Arrogant Frog Ribet White" Sauvignon Blanc for approximately 5€, and despite its grapefruit and lichy-like powerful aromas and freshness (and not being flat, which is already an achievement with Sauvignon Blancs for under 10€), it lacked the refinedness of a good, 15-20€ old-world Sauvignon Blanc. To apply it to this review: Sadly, the inexpensice Alsace Pinot Blanc's just aren't any good. I'd rather spend my money on one bottle of this marvellous 2005 Hugel than on a few bottles of the cheap plonk. If you like fresh pinot noirs with raffinesse, you should really try this wine, especially because the 2005 Vintage is so good.    (hide)

October 2009

No written review

February 2009