Domaine Zind-Humbrecht, Clos Saint Urbain Rangen De Thann Riesling 2017

97 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
"The 2017 Alsace Grand Cru Rangen de Thann Clos Saint Urbain Riesling fermented very quickly and offers a pure and flinty note on the intense but (certainly) still reductive nose. Lush and juicy on the palate, this is a finely bitter Rangen with concentrated fruit, fine tannins and salty/mineral acidity. Very long and fresh, with rich and concentrated fruit but never without the purity of the Clos. A great wine that will need plenty of time. Drink: 2027-2047."

96 points Wine Enthusiast
"Notes of flinty reduction combine with fresh green apple and lemon, giving an impression of smokiness. The palate is stony but offers depth and ripeness, with smooth fruit suggesting Amalfi lemon, Mandarin and grapefruit. Here and there a glimpse of Mirabelle plum appears, while the finish speaks of zestiness and barely unleashed power. Let this sleep for a while in the bottle. It will wake up and dazzle you. Drink 2025–2045."

96 points James Suckling
"A very spice and sappy white with pine-nut and dried-apricot character to it all. Full body. Dry and spicy. Big and lively with loads of flavor in this style. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold."

Vinous Reverie Notes
The Grand Cru Rangen is the southernmost vineyard in Alsace, but in fact it has late ripening characteristics. The higher altitude (350m to 480m elevation), the proximity of higher summits and the depth of the valley bringing cold winds explain why the bud break is much later. With the extremely steep slope comes also a natural draft that also follows the river at the bottom of the Grand Cru. All these characteristics explain why the Rangen didn’t suffer from frost damage in 2017. Yields are small, despite higher vine densities (10000 vines/ha). The sedimentary volcanic rock produces interesting high surface clay and is naturally rich in minerals. It allows the vine roots to grow deep and find stability in soil that looks incredibly poor on the surface. The Rangen behave incredibly well in 2017 and it was a real pleasure to find a normal crop there, that also fermented extremely well. Tasting Notes: Bright intense yellow color. The nose is powerful, dominated by the volcanic rock with flinty smoky aromas. It opens eventually on more fruit but also an almost medicinal character. This wine needs patience. The palate structure is dense and tight, complex, mostly built on the saline minerality and tight tannic extract. The acidity brings freshness, but isn’t the most important part of the wine. Enthusiastic wine that needs serious attention from the tasters.