2001 Trimbach Riesling Cuvée Frédéric Emile Selection de Grains Nobles, Alsace

‘(made from the third of three passes through Trimbach's holding in the grand cru Geisberg, on November 5) Pale medium-gold colour. Exotic yellow fruits, roasted pineapple and white raisin on the nose. Hugely sweet but sappy, pure and focused. A large-scaled fruit bomb, with penetrating spice and caraway seed notes and electric acidity.

Not at all overly sweet at 74 grams/liter residual sugar. A brilliant example of the ineffably pure botrytis of this vintage: even at SGN ripeness, this is still clearly identifiable as riesling. In the past couple of decades, this wine has been made only in 1989, 1990, 2000 and 2001. There's always a breeze coming through the deep valley of Aubeure, notes Pierre, so it's rare that any kind of rot takes root on this fruit.’ 

96+ points Stephen Tanzer vinous.com

Trimbach Riesling Cuvée Frédéric Emile Sélection de Grains Nobles from Alsace is a wine of extraordinary rarity and complexity — one of the greatest sweet Rieslings in the world. Produced only in exceptional vintages, it represents the pinnacle of Trimbach’s centuries-old winemaking tradition, showcasing the perfect marriage of noble rot concentration, natural acidity, and mineral purity. The Trimbach family, established in Ribeauvillé in 1626, has long been a guardian of Alsace’s most exceptional terroirs, and this cuvée stands as their masterpiece of patience and precision.

The fruit comes from old vines in the Grand Cru vineyards of Geisberg and Osterberg, whose steep, south-facing slopes and limestone-sandstone soils are ideally suited to Riesling. In years when botrytis cinerea develops evenly, individual berries are painstakingly hand selected over multiple passes. The juice is gently pressed and fermented slowly at cool temperatures in stainless steel, followed by long ageing to harmonise intensity and finesse.

In the glass it gleams deep golden amber. The aroma is magnificent and layered, with honey, candied citrus, apricot, and quince joined by notes of saffron, beeswax, and crushed rock. The palate is rich, luscious, and deeply textured, balancing its opulent sweetness with the hallmark Trimbach acidity that gives structure and lift. Flavours of caramelised pear, orange blossom, and spice linger endlessly on the palate, leaving a finish of remarkable freshness and precision.

It pairs beautifully with foie gras, blue cheese, or fruit-based desserts, and is equally captivating as a meditation wine. With decades of cellaring potential, it will continue to evolve for fifty years or more, developing layers of truffle, dried fruit, and exotic spice.