98 JS / 96+ VM / 96 WE / 94 WA
A lot of roasted citrus fruits, but the mineral character is stronger. The mineral component keeps the reins in its hand, driving the wine on to a very straight path and keeping it there in spite of higher alcohol (just over 13%) than the other rieslings of this vintage from Zind Humbrecht. Already delicious now, but this has enormous aging potential. Made from biodynamically grown grapes. James Suckling
Bright straw-yellow. Very pure, clean, fresh aromas and flavors of yellow peach, lime, botanical herbs, sweet spices and a touch of orange jam. Then rich and dense, showing real concentration and depth to the lingering, repeating citrus and spice nuances. Finishes with an enticing multilayered quality, not to mention outstanding length. A fantastic wine. In 2016 Humbrecht did not use any grapes from his younger vines to make this wine, because he felt they had suffered some water stress that led to difficult fermentations and ultimately a different-tasting wine.0— Ian D’Agata – Vinous Media
A touch of flint hovers above the fragrance of freshly cut citrus-peel notes that are reminiscent of clementine and tangerine. On the palate the tangy, zesty notes play first fiddle but they are supported by a whole orchestra of juicy clementine and tangerine flesh. This is ripe freshness or fresh ripeness of fruit that comes with a disarming playfulness and well-honed generosity. The dry lip-smacking tangerine finish makes you crave more. – Wine Enthusiast
From 66-year-old vines on the south-facing granite soils of the steep and low-yielding cru (34 hectoliters per hectare), the yellow-golden 2016 Alsace Grand Cru Brand Riesling is clear, fresh and pure on the deep, ripe and mineral nose. On the palate, this is an intense, lush and elegant Riesling with a firm, mineral structure, fine acidity and a very long, salty finish with lots of power, grip and mineral expression. This is a dense and concentrated Brand that is far too young to be enjoyed today, but its aging potential should be enormous (as always), particularly in 2016 due to its very tight and mineral structure. “In 2016, the grapes were healthy, ripened early (an exception in that vintage), and the Brand fermented slowly, but the yeasts went to the end of their task,” says Olivier Humbrecht, who finds his 2016 Brand pretty delicate compared to the often rather richer style of this steep grand cru. Tasted June 2018. – Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate
