2024 Domaine Weinbach Gewurztraminer Altenbourg

The 2024 Domaine Weinbach Gewurztraminer Altenbourg is one of the most refined expressions of Gewurztraminer from Alsace. Hailing from the famous lieu-dit Altenbourg, this wine combines the rich aromatic intensity of the grape variety with exceptional freshness and elegance. The 2024 vintage demonstrates why Domaine Weinbach is regarded worldwide as the benchmark for great Alsatian wines: a wine of impressive precision, perfect balance, and enormous aging potential. Domaine Weinbach For many wine lovers, Domaine Weinbach is, without exaggeration, the benchmark estate of Alsace. For more than a century, the winery has belonged to the absolute world elite and is regarded as one of the most respected producers of Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Pinot Gris. The wines combine an almost Burgundian finesse with an impressive expression of terroir and consistently rank among the finest produced in Alsace. The top cuvées from Domaine Weinbach are produced annually in only limited quantities and are beloved worldwide by collectors and enthusiasts. For more information about Domaine Weinbach, please refer to the Winery tab. Altenbourg Altenbourg is a historic lieu-dit directly adjacent to the Grand Cru Furstentum and has been one of Domaine Weinbach's most prestigious vineyards for generations. The calcareous soils and excellent location produce Gewürztraminer with exceptional aromatic complexity, refinement, and tension. Altenbourg is known for wines that are rich and opulent, yet always retain a remarkable freshness. The 2024 volume The top wines of Domaine Weinbach 2024 will be released en primeur in the coming months. 2024 was one of the most challenging growing seasons of the past decades. A wet year with exceptionally high disease pressure demanded the utmost from the vineyards and the Weinbach team. As Eddy Leiber-Faller aptly described it: "2024 was a season to forget, but a vintage to remember." Thanks to extremely careful selection during the harvest and the estate's extensive experience, wines emerged with remarkable purity, freshness, and terroir expression. The international wine press is unanimously praising the vintage. The combination of ripe fruit, lively acidity, and great precision makes 2024 a classic Alsace vintage with impressive aging potential. Vinification The grapes are harvested entirely by hand and carefully selected. After slow fermentation, the wine retains a modest residual sugar of approximately 18 grams per liter. Thanks to the lively natural acidity, this subtle sweetness is fully integrated into the wine's structure, leaving it elegant, refined, and perfectly balanced. Scent, taste and character The bouquet is intense yet exceptionally refined, with aromas of honeysuckle, ripe peach, apricot, and lychee, complemented by clove, licorice, and subtle floral notes. As the wine opens up, nuances of orange blossom, exotic fruit, and fine spices emerge. On the palate, the wine displays a beautiful combination of richness and precision. Flavors of juicy peach compote, ripe stone fruit, and citrus are supported by a strikingly lively freshness that keeps the wine light-footed and energetic. The slight residual sweetness is fully integrated and primarily adds extra roundness and length without ever coming across as sweet. The finish is exceptionally long and elegant, with refined notes of flowers, spices, and ripe fruit that linger for a long time. Professional assessment Vinous: 95 points Anne Krebiehl MW praises the exceptional balance of this Altenbourg, in which ripe peach, honeysuckle, clove, and liquorice are combined with lively freshness and an impressively long, elegant finish. Drinking window and food and wine pairings The 2024 Domaine Weinbach Gewurztraminer Altenbourg develops beautifully from around 2030 and continues to perform at a high level until at least 2050. Preferably serve the wine at 10 to 12°C. This slightly off-dry Gewürztraminer pairs brilliantly with foie gras, Asian dishes, Thai cui