MAISON F.E. TRIMBACH
ALSACE, FRANCE 2021
Why Buy: Look, we love Riesling. We do. With a passion uncontested. And we think the great ones — and we've got three of them for you today, from the incredible Trimbach — are just as exciting and inspiring as the best Bordeaux or Burgundy. Fronting our estate tour today: the 2016 Frédéric Emile, a 97+ point masterpiece and a triumphant showcase of Ribeauvillé's hallowed Grand Cru vineyards. This is Alsatian Riesling at its most exalted and transcendent, with all the purity, structure, energy, precision, and depth to keep you coming back for more. We’ve also brought you a pair of brilliant bargains in the 2021s, which are versatile and rewarding wines to keep at hand all year round, but that will also wow you, too, in the right setting.
What They're Saying: Vinous awarded the 2016 Frédéric Emile 97+ points, gushing: “It is shaping up as an historic wine.” The same publication pronounced upon the other two wines, as well. The 2021 Riesling Vieilles Vignes is “superb,” it wrote, "unfurling in the glass with striking purity and incisive chalky grip,” while the 2021 Riesling Reserve, is "a stunning value that over-delivers, bursting with youthfully pure aromas and flavors."
The Story: For nearly 400 years, the Trimbach family has pursued a singular quest in the heart of Ribeauvillé: to capture the absolute purest essence of Alsatian terroir. The estate's gorgeous, carefully-tended vineyards were planted in 1626, along a fractured fault line that yielded a dense mosaic of complex, calcareous limestone soils prized for the finesse and concentration they impart. This extraordinary terroir, coupled with Alsace's ideal continental microclimate, allows the family's intensely dry, age-worthy Rieslings to develop uncommon depth and complexity. Yet for all their layered richness, Trimbach's greatest accomplishment is the impeccable balance defining each cuvée. "Balance, balance, balance,” the Trimbachs write on their website. “This is our philosophy of life.” Their approach is one, ultimately, of respect — they craft separate vines for each tiny parcel and meticulously plan final blends years in advance before marrying the components. Vinified to dryness and aged to perfection, these masterworks sing of their terroir with full-throated power.
Our Tasting Notes: The 2016 Frédéric Emile is a revelation, delivering layer upon layer of white peach, lime blossoms, crushed rocks and saline minerality before a stunningly chiseled, intensely chalky palate accented by hints of honeycomb and bitter orange peel. The 2021 Riesling Reserve delivers incredible value, bursting with aromas of crisp orchard fruits, green tea and white florals that lead to a pure, mouth-wateringly zippy palate. The old vine Riesling Vieilles Vignes, also from the 2021 vintage, is even more concentrated, with exotic layers of stone fruits, green apple, and jasmine, and, beneath this, wonderfully alluring notes of oyster shell and salt; the finish is dry, poised, and reverberant.
What To Pair Them With: The majestic Frédéric Emile is best enjoyed on its own or alongside the richest seafood dishes. The vibrant 2021s are set to shine with oysters, grilled fish, chicken with tarragon, or hearty mushroom tarts.
Fun Fact: In the 18th century, the Trimbach family established its own cooperage to ensure that only the finest French oak casks would be used to nurture the flavor complexity of their wines.
Our Guarantee: As with all our offerings, these wines come directly from the estate. Your bottles will arrive in pristine condition, ready for your cellar—or your glass.
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Fall 2024. With the supply chain issues that we are seeing globally, there may be some unforeseen delays which could affect the ETA. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in KS, MI, NY, or TN. This offer is for ONE WEEK, or until sold out, and will expire on Sunday, August 4th, 2024.
