Hugel, Alsace wines

10-June-1994

Decided to share tasting notes of Alsace bottles from the not-so-distant past.
All these wines are from Hugel and were bought "in situ" at the cellar in Riquewihr.

Muscat - Cuvee Tradition		1990	Hugel

12/92. Bought in Alsace Oct-92 for $9.
Alsace is the only place (to my knowledge) where dry white wine is made from the Muscat grapes.
Pale straw color. Medium fruity aroma. Refreshing taste with a touch of bitterness at the finish. Went nicely with grapes and cherries in an afternoon. Pleasant easy wine but had better ones in the past.
MARK: 14/20.aaaaaaaaBUY MORE? No.

Gewurztraminer "Jubilee Hugel"	1988	Hugel

2/93. Bought in Alsace Oct-92 for $17.
An excellent example of this wine made especially for the 350th anniv. of the Hugel family winery in Riquewihr.
Almost dark yellow color. Pronounced spicy dry-fruit aroma. Very good meaty taste. Complex texture, no residual sugar. Was great with grilled scallops. A very good wine.
MARK: 16/20.aaaaaaaaBUY MORE? Maybe.

Riesling "Jubilee Hugel"		1988	Hugel

2/93. Bought in Alsace Oct-92 for $18.
A superb example of Alsace Riesling, also made especially for the 350th anniv. of Hugel.
Pale greenish color. A whole vineyard on the nose. Layers of fresh fruits on the palate. Perfect balance of acidity and alcohol. Lingering taste that asks for more. A delightful company to jumbo shrimps sauteed in light cream.
Superb! Fresh, fruity, full of character.
MARK: 18/20.aaaaaaaaBUY MORE? Yes.

Gewurztraminer -  SGN			1983	Hugel

3/93. Bought in Alsace Oct-92 for $47 (375cc bottle!).
Selection des Grains Nobles - The utmost in sweet wine! By far better than any Sauterne I've tasted (Never had Ch. Yquem, but heard from those fortunate enough to have tasted them both that SGN is on par if not better).
Full yellow color. Unbelievably rich, complex and exotically honeyed aroma. divine smooth nectar that lingered and developed for ages.
Went magnificently with the contrasty foie gras (though it should really be reverently sipped on its own!) these (2) Selections de Grain Noble were OUT OF THIS WORLD!
I cant even stand normal sweetish wines, but this is really something else!
MARK: 19/20.aaaaaaaaBUY MORE? Yes.