Wine Reviews
The 2022 Riesling Roche Calcaire is harvested across the limestone soils of the estate from vines that do not make it into the single vineyards. In 2022, this was restricted to the marl and limestone soils of the village of Gueberschwihr, around the Goldert Grand Cru, a site that Humbrecht calls “virtually drought proof.” The nose still flickers with yeasty funk and lovely, flinty reduction, but even this funkiness does not obscure the vibrant lemon and orange peel. The palate is fresh but so buffered, with stunning limestone smoothness wrapping itself around a central vein of bright freshness. This is lip-smacking and approachable. It’s friendly and bright already. The finish shines with a tart
An expressive Riesling, with yellow peach, guava and pear grounded by a bed of crushed flint. Shows chamomile and honey notes that add warmth to the expansive palate, while a succulent beam of acidity brings balance to the bitter, chalky finish.
This ample and vibrant dry riesling has an intensely chalky and flinty personality. Stacks of Amalfi lemon and ripe grapefruit character, too. Extremely stony finish with so much depth and energy.
From vineyards around Gueberschwihr and a small portion of young vines from the Hengst, the 2020 Riesling Roche Calcaire offers a clear, fresh and stony, lemony bouquet of crushed limestones and even flint stones. Full-bodied, pure and tensioned on the palate, this is a limestone-driven, silky-textured, elegant and refreshing Riesling with fine tannins and a finish that is pretty intense, finely bitter and quite long. This is an excellent wine for its price range.
Behind its juicy fruit scents, this wine’s aromas are like a bouquet of tender herbs. Fennel fronds, dill, tarragon and celery leaves are fresh and inviting. The wine’s plump fruit flavors and barely there honeyed sweetness come as a bit of a surprise, but as with all the best Rieslings, they’re kept in check by cleansing acidity. Those herbaceous notes also carry through into the medium-length, savory, green finish.
