Trimbach - Riesling Alsace Cuvée Frédéric Émile 2011

94 Points, John Gilman

"The Trimbach family’s 2011 vintage of Cuvée Frédéric Émile is just starting to blossom in magnum, and I have to expect that it is now in its plateau of peak drinkability in regular sized formats. The bouquet of the 2011 magnum is beautiful, offering up a precise and vibrant constellation of apple, pink grapefruit, a beautiful base of stony minerality, a lovely touch of petrol, white flowers, beeswax and a topnote of lemon zest. On the palate the wine is bright, fullbodied, focused and has a rock solid core of ripe fruit, with superb mineral undertow, zesty acids and a long, complex and bone dry finish. This vintage comes in at fourteen percent octane, so this is a fairly powerful example of Cuvée Frédéric Émile, but it is elegant, pure and low fat at the same time. Fine juice."

Since 1626, the Trimbach family has been promoting the history, exceptional terroirs and fine wines of Alsace. Maison Trimbach is located in Ribeauvillé, where today three generations work closely together. 

The Trimbachs have a purist vision. Across 12 generations, the family has always produced wines that are structured, long-lived, fruity, elegant and balanced: the celebrated Trimbach style. 

Bottles remain in the cellar for several years before reaching the marketplace, ensuring the wines are both ready to drink upon release but also hold great aging potential.

For a seven-year-old dry white, this has great vitality. The more air it gets, the more candied-citrus, pear and dried-herb aromas emerge. Although the wine's frame is on the sleek side, there's serious concentration. The finish is very long with a cascade of herbal and mineral notes. 

The Trimbach family’s 2011 vintage of Cuvée Frédéric Émile is just starting to blossom in magnum, and I have to expect that it is now in its plateau of peak drinkability in regular sized formats. The bouquet of the 2011 magnum is beautiful, offering up a precise and vibrant constellation of apple, pink grapefruit, a beautiful base of stony minerality, a lovely touch of petrol, white flowers, beeswax and a topnote of lemon zest. On the palate the wine is bright, fullbodied, focused and has a rock solid core of ripe fruit, with superb mineral undertow, zesty acids and a long, complex and bone dry finish. This vintage comes in at fourteen percent octane, so this is a fairly powerful example of Cuvée Frédéric Émile, but it is elegant, pure and low fat at the same time. Fine juice.