Winemaker Notes

Don't be fooled by its dashing ruby color with brilliant reflections, this Pinot Noir has a response. The nose of morello cherry, cherry with kirsch, redcurrant and fresh tobacco exposes a frank and generous fruitiness, all Alsatian, without being masked by any trace of unwelcome woodiness. On the palate a beautiful freshness dominates. The tannins, present but without harshness, accompany a nice substance that fades away to give way to a beautiful structure on the finish that is well structured without being drying. A true Alsatian Pinot: effective.

If proof needs be of climate change, 2022 is once again an earliest vintage in history in Alsace. But one not to rush into starting the picking. Once again winter was mild and budbreak as early as April 5th in Riquewihr, luckily making the episode of frost of April 3rd painless across most of the region. The hot conditions of May and June (26 to 32° all along) made for most of the earliness of the vintage with blooming May 23rd and especially drought conditions across all of France until harvest making for a very healthy crop. Acidity levels are low, and ripeness levels very high. Quality is extra across the board and the wines dense and concentrated. Hugel started picking 8 days after the rest of Alsace on September 12th and rightly did so, and finished in just over 3 weeks, a record speed. 2022 will be a benchmark vintage for Pinot Noirs especially.