2023 Trimbach Sylvaner Réserve Weinbaum, Alsace

The generous nose of this remarkable Alsace sylvaner reminds me of nutty old-fashioned apple varieties and some herbal delicacy. For a grape variety often assumed to be simple and rustic, it has both impressive concentration and some real elegance on the medium-bodied palate. Long, cool, herbal finish. From almost one hectare of 40- to 50-year-old vines. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.

93 points jamessuckling.com

Trimbach Sylvaner Réserve Weinbaum from Alsace is a rare and beautifully expressive white wine that showcases the quiet brilliance of one of the region’s most overlooked grapes. Crafted by the Trimbach family, whose winemaking heritage in Ribeauvillé dates back to 1626, this cuvée is drawn from the single vineyard of Weinbaum, a site that consistently produces wines of remarkable purity, minerality, and tension. Under the precise guidance of Jean and Pierre Trimbach, it offers a crystalline expression of Alsace terroir at its most elegant and understated.

The Weinbaum vineyard lies on gentle slopes of marl and limestone near Ribeauvillé, where cool nights and long, sunny days allow the Sylvaner grape to ripen slowly while retaining its natural acidity. The fruit is hand harvested and gently pressed, then fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel to preserve its clarity and freshness. The wine is aged on fine lees to add subtle texture without losing precision or lift.

In the glass it gleams pale gold with silver highlights. The aroma is refined and delicate, showing notes of green apple, white pear, lime blossom, and fresh herbs with a hint of chalky minerality. The palate is dry, vibrant, and finely textured, revealing crisp orchard fruit, citrus, and a savoury mineral edge that extends through a clean, refreshing finish. Its quiet intensity and balance reflect both the grape’s natural character and Trimbach’s commitment to precision and restraint.

It pairs beautifully with seafood, grilled white fish, asparagus, or goat cheese, and is equally delightful as an aperitif. Light, refreshing, and impeccably made, it can be enjoyed young for its vitality or aged for up to eight years to reveal gentle nutty and honeyed nuances.