The Grand Cru vineyard Hengst is located in Wintzenheim near Colmar in Alsace, in the very south of the cultivation area. The grape varieties Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris dominate in the Hengst vineyard. The latter enjoys enormous esteem in Alsace, some winegrowers even place it above Riesling in terms of density and longevity, Wolfberger's Pinot Gris Grand Hengst is certainly one of the bargains when it comes to Grand Cru in Alsace. It is stylistically unmistakable, with its density, concentration and 27 grams of residual sugar. Such Pinot Gris from high-quality locations with such analysis data is actually only available in Alsace. You just have to understand this type of wine as a separate category. There is hardly anything better with pies or foie gras, for example. Try it with duck breast with a fruity sauce, typically orange. A dream combination! This is certainly not a wine that you drink away so easily on the side. It requires the right food accompaniment and attention.
The 2018 Hengst Pinot Gris is now at the beginning of his best enjoyment phase. The creamy fullness is slowly complemented by the first notes of aging, which makes the wine more exciting. In addition to the ripe yellow fruit notes, there is a fine honey tone. The very long finale is voluminous and juicy, sure, somewhere heavy and lush, but that doesn't matter. An old-fashioned wine in a positive sense, which definitely has its justification and area of application in which it is unbeatable - see food combinations above.
