1994 Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Clos Hauserer

This powerful Riesling displays fabulous purity, full body, layers of quince and honeyed, exotic fruit flavors, a layered texture, and the tell-tale components of all the Z-H wines - purity and equilibrium. Usually one of the more backward Z-H wines, the 1994 Clos Hauserer was singing at full volume when I tasted it. The 1994 Riesling Clos Hauserer is from a vineyard with a southeastern exposure at the bottom of the grand cru Hengst vineyard. The marl/limestone soil tends to ripen the grapes earlier, as well as lend itself to considerable botrytis formation. Olivier Humbrecht claims it will easily age for 15 years. Most of the Zind-Humbrecht 1994 Rieslings have two strikes against them ... microscopic quantities and lofty price tags. Yet lovers of this varietal are not likely to see a more compelling cross section of Riesling than the offerings reviewed here. The importer for the Zind-Humbrecht wines for most of the United States is Wine Markets International, Woodbury, NY; tel. (516) 364-1850, and for the state of California, Kermit Lynch Selections, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 524-1524.