Trimbach Frederic Emile, 2001 - WBW 45
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The Trimbach Cuvee Frederic Emile is one of the world’s great white wines. And at $35, it’s also one of the world’s great white wine bargains.
I had the 2001 recently with a friend and loved it. I tried the 2002 at a tasting last week and found it higher in acidity and not quite as subtle as the 01, so I went out and bought some more of the 01. I’ve never had the top wine from the Alsatian producer, the $120 Clos Ste. Hune (find this wine), but one of my friends who has had it describes the “Freddy” as “more than half the wine at a quarter the price.”
Although I prefer German Riesling on the whole to the Alsatian versions, this Freddy has a German-like precision, alluring aromas of lime zest, lemon grass, wet rocks and a touch of honey, while the palate has excellent richness while remaining dry and a long finish. I’d like to try a version of this wine with some age on it so I’ve stashed away a few bottles for just that purpose. Next time I’ll try it with pan-seared scallops.
The wine is from grand cru vineyards but still seems to have a production size that means that it actually can be found. Search for it now before it is all gone.
Why write about this wine today? Why, it is for Wine Blogging Wednesday #45, with a theme of Old World Riesling that Tim Elliott selected. Surf on over to Tim’s site to see a roundup of which other Rieslings people chose to explore. And thanks for the one day grace period, Tim!
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On May 8th, 2008 at 3:22 pm ,Wink Lorch wrote:
By chance, I tasted the 2002 Cuvée Frédéric Emile at a press tasting for the UK supermarket Waitrose yesterday - they stock it in just 6 of their best branches (and through their website) for £27.00 (GB pounds if the symbol doesn’t appear). I’ve always loved this wine and enjoyed the 2002 - though not inexpensive, far from it … I think it is a superb wine, and sometimes in France one can find it at a reasonable price on restaurant lists, occasionally for older vintages.
On May 8th, 2008 at 3:35 pm ,Chris C wrote:
Great note Tyler and thanks for posting on this wine as I have been a huge fan for some time. I usually only drink German and the occasional Austrian Riesling but Trimbach is in a league all its own in Alsace. It really is the only Alsatian Riesling producer I consistently love. Cheers!
-Chris
P.S. If you ever see the 1990 CSH or VT make sure to try em, two of the best Rieslings I have had!
On May 8th, 2008 at 7:02 pm ,Dr. Vino wrote:
Hi Wink and welcome,
Thanks for your observations from London! Funny, I thought it odd that the wine was MORE expensive in the UK than here but I just checked and the 02 here is actually around $50. But then the 03, which is also available, falls back to the $30s. Not sure why. If anything, I preferred the 01.
Chris,
Glad you are a fan too! I’ll keep an eye out for the 1990 CSH and VT but probably will have to settle for a more recent vintage of either/both.
On May 9th, 2008 at 1:48 pm ,Saul M wrote:
Love how you and Alder at Vinography tried the same wine (but different vintages). Seeing as you both liked it, I suppose its worth seeking out.
On May 12th, 2008 at 7:46 pm ,Dale Cruse wrote:
Sounds like you had as much fun with your Riesling as I did on this Wine Blogging Wednesday!
On May 13th, 2008 at 10:49 pm ,Joe wrote:
It takes guts to label a $35 wine as a great bargain, but having tasted a number of Trimbach’s wines I have no doubt that you are spot on. For what it’s worth, the ‘03 is about $50 up here. Cheers!