2014 Riesling Grossi Laue

The 2014 Riesling Grossi Laüe is harvested from four parcels across the midslope of the marls of the Schoenenbourg Grand Cru. From a cool vintage, with a cool, rainy summer where the autumn made the vintage. This sends out only gentle notions of chamomile tincture with emerging highlights of clear honey but with an ethereal lift and a lovely smokiness that allows you to stash this way. The palate is serene, gorgeously smooth and emollient with its cooling, soothing, chamomile-scented, fresh gentleness. This is a Riesling like a caress, like a balm, while cooling, healing and soothing. The 2014 is long and understated, just about opening up but perfectly equipped to go the distance, a wine of equanimity and class. (Bone-Dry)

Hugel switched to using the conventional Grand Cru nomenclature in 2015, making the 2014 Riesling from Schoenenbourg vineyards the last time he called it Grossi Laüe. An immediate lift of chamomile appears on the nose, fused with aromatic hay flowers and fragrant, ripe, yellow apple and the intense lift of dried lemon. All points to a beautiful evolution from this cooler year. The palate has an immense smoothness, an emollient texture that is absolutely aligned with a central, essential streak of 2014 acidity. The palate is slender, precise, taut and yet has Alsace richness. Beautifully straight and linear, very elegant, as befits this vintage. Very streamlined, aromatic and poised.