2014 Trimbach Riesling Cuvee Frederic Emile, Alsace

So much mineral and sliced apple character with hints of orange and apple peel. Turns to steely character. Full-bodied, racy and bright. So lively. Great finish. Drink or hold on release.

96 points jamessuckling.com Sep 2015

The 2014 Riesling Cuvée Frédéric Emile is highly complex on the clear, intense and smoky, lemony nose. Clear, fresh, straight and very mineral on the nose, this is a pure but complex, intense, stony Riesling that is pretty austere at the moment. Provided with racy acidity, but concentrated and mineral on the palate, this is exceptional dry Riesling with great tension. To be served in 10, 20 and even in 30 years.

94+ points robertparker.com

Vivid straw-green. Delicate nuances of jasmine and lemon verbena complicate aromas of green apple, lime and minerals. Pure and penetrating on the palate, boasting superb definition to the flavors of gin, mint, minerals, violet and lemon zest. The finish is remarkably crystalline and long. This Frédéric Emile is currently dominated by its Osterberg component (the cuvée is a blend of Osterberg and Geisberg grand cru grapes), which brings chiseled acidity, as opposed to the Geisberg’s ripe fruit personality and licorice quality. Despite the difficult year, this is likely to become a memorable Frédéric Emile. So much so, in fact, that it’s currently impossible to choose between it and the more famous Clos Sainte Hune. Drink 2022-2045.

94+ points vinous.com

The 2014 Trimbach Riesling Cuvée Frédéric Emile is one of Alsace’s most iconic wines, a benchmark Riesling that epitomises both the power and finesse of the region. Produced by Maison Trimbach, a family estate dating back to 1626, the Cuvée Frédéric Emile is sourced from old vines planted in two grand terroirs — the Geisberg and Osterberg vineyards near Ribeauvillé. These steep, south-facing slopes of limestone and sandstone give fruit of intensity, structure and remarkable ageability. The wine is named in honour of Frédéric Emile Trimbach, who in the late 19th century was instrumental in establishing the estate’s international reputation.

The 2014 vintage in Alsace was cooler and more classical, producing Rieslings of purity, precision and longevity. In the glass, it shows pale gold with green highlights. The nose is immediately complex, with aromas of lime zest, white peach, quince and green apple, layered with jasmine, flint, smoke and the signature stony minerality of Ribeauvillé’s slopes. On the palate, it is dry, taut and powerful, with crystalline acidity supporting flavours of citrus, stone fruit and saline minerality. The finish is long, structured and mouth-watering, with an almost chiselled precision that makes this wine both thrilling in youth and destined for greatness with age.

Food pairings highlight its racy acidity and layered minerality: oysters, lobster with beurre blanc, seared scallops, or sushi and sashimi. It also pairs beautifully with Alsatian classics such as choucroute garnie, or richer dishes like roast pork belly and goat’s cheese tart. With 20–30 years of cellaring potential, the 2014 Cuvée Frédéric Emile will evolve into something more honeyed and toasty, developing notes of petrol, beeswax and dried fruit while retaining its mineral backbone.

This is likely to become a memorable Frédéric Emile. So much so, in fact, that it’s currently impossible to choose between it and the more famous Clos Sainte Hune.
 
Trimbach is world-famous for its two iconic Rieslings, the Clos Ste. Hune and the Cuvée Fréderic Emile
Ian D’Agata vinous.com
 
Trimbach is the Riesling specialist par excellence. Their most famous examples are the revered Clos Ste Hune and Cuvée Frédéric Émile
Jancis Robinson MW
 
The Trimbach family continues to render some of the world’s finest Riesling; to uphold the principle that wine of Alsace (unless V.T.) should not taste sweet; to release wines only when they believe those wines say “it’s time”.
David Schildknecht robertparker.com