2014 Trimbach Cuvee Frederic Emile Riesling
Alsace, France
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FREDDY!!!!
Not only is this one of my all-time favorite wines, it's one of the most iconic bottles of Riesling worldwide. Some of my most memorable wine drinking experiences involve older bottles of Freddy. Before you turn your head and scoff at Riesling, understand that this wine beyond varietal. This wine at the top of its class and probably the best expression of an appellation. In fact, it defines the region in benchmark fashion; like Domaine de la Romanee-Conti, Chateau Lafite, Clos Erasmus, Antinori Tiganello, Bruno Giacosa, or Chave Hermitage do in their respective appellations. Powerful, bone-dry, and full of tension, this Riesling can out-perform some of the best Sancerre or Chablis on the planet. It's also ageless. You will not live long enough to see this wine even begin to decline. It only gains momentum and value in the cellar; one of the few rare wines that does so. Older vintages of CFE command much higher prices on the secondary market. There's nothing about this wine that isn't utterly epic!
The Alsace is a complicated, uber-complex spattering of different terroirs with over 51 different Grand Cru single vineyards, very similar to Burgundy. The wine growing history of Maison Trimbach dates back to 1626. Since then, twelve generations of winemakers have ensured that the wines they produce stand out for their quality and authenticity. This consistency of excellence now well into its thirteenth generation has made the "Trimbach style" a reference point and something that all Alsatian wines strive for. In 1898, Trimbach acquired true international acclaim when Frederic Emile Trimbach received the highest distinction at the International Wine Fair in Brussels. Now named after him for generations, the Cuvee is one of the most recognizable wines from the entire Alsace.
The Trimbach family is one of the most prestigious and important winemaking families in all of France, if not golbally. The two Grand Cru vineyards, Geisberg and Osterberg that overlook the winery have been blended to produce this wine but the family chose to leave the words "Grand Cru" off of the label in the 1970's and it has been absent ever since, however this is their signature wine. This Grand Cru cuvee come from vines planted on a fault line that fractured 50 million years ago. The unique Alsatian microclimate, and more specifically the complex calcareous limestone and bio-degraded seashell fossils called Muschelkalk work incredibly hard to produce fruit that is highly expressive, racy, mineral-rich and extremely elegant.
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The 2014 is the current release, as the winemaking team purposely holds the bottles back until they're ready to start drinking, hence the nine year age gap. Pale golden in the glass with crystal-like shimmering on the surface. The nose is intense with sliced yellow apple, peach pit, and jasmine with hints of lime leaf. More tropical fruit comes through on the palate with pineapple and quince followed by liquid mineral and petrol notes. Chalky oyster shell and briny oyster liqueur mixed with huckleberry and toasted turmeric. Tangy and zesty to the core while still maintaining its bone-dry authenticity. Crushed stone and hints of cinnamon stick emerge on the finish that literally cannot be erased for at least five minutes. Even well after sipping, you taste toasted coriander, fresh herbs, lime zest and green pear. This wine is utterly dynamic. No other way to describe it. You can feel the energy and tension in every sip like you would with Grand Cru Batard Montrachet or a Raveneau Chablis. "This is likely to become a memorable Frederic Emile. So much so, in fact, that it's currently impossible to chose between it and the more famous Clos Sainte Hune ($400 retail)." To further emphasize what an insane deal this is, Antonio Galloni from Vinous insists that it compares to the famous Trimbach Grand Cru that is about 4x the price. Throw a case in your cellar and savor the magic over the course of your lifetime. I promise you you'll be kicking yourself for not buying enough.
96pts James Suckling:
"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."
94pts Robert Parker:
"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."
94pts Vinous:
"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."
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I've eaten everything from succulent Ora King salmon belly tartare to milk-fed porcelet rack of pork with the Frederic Emile. The wine is so versatile when it comes to food. It's dry, it's complex and it's loaded with acid which pretty much makes it indestructible to the culinary realm. Its power can stand up to suckling pig and its elegance can vibe with Dover Sole.
Today we scored one of the most historic deals I've encountered at my job. A wine of this caliber that we're able to sell at a fraction above cost doesn't come around often. Now is the time to stock your cellar with what dreams are made of!
Shelf Price: $106.99
Average WineSearcher Price: $93
6pk Case Price: $426
(only $71 per bottle!)
lowest price in the country
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Mike O'Connell Jr.
Third Generation Expert Purveyor of
Fine Wines & Spirits
@ Upper Falls Liquors, Newton
*Post Road Liquors
*Needham Wine & Spirits
*Auburndale Wine & Spirits
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