Riesling Cuvee Frederic Emile 1998 Trimbach

Professional reviews

Robert Parker (91)

Flowers, tropical fruits, smoke, stones, and wet gravel can be discerned in the aromatics of the 1998 Riesling Frederic Emile. This intensely rich, concentrated, and deep wine is drenched in lemons, minerals, and stones. Its impressive finish reveals tangy lime notes.

Winespectator (90)

Appealing aromas and flavors of quince, pine forest and minerals unfold on a dry, firm structure. There's plumpness and apple pie flavor on the midpalate, with a cinnamon note. Ends with an almond and mineral aftertaste.

BOW (8)

Jancis Robinson (18)

Very very deep, mineral flavours. Tingly acidity. Some lychee notes in its relatively rich nose thanks to the noble rot that affected about 30% of the grapes and makes this, like the famous 1989, all of which qualified as at least Vendange Tardive, relatively early maturing and open.

Vinous (94)

(13% alcohol; 7.1 g/l total acidity; 3.11 pH; 4.9 g/l residual sugar): Dark golden yellow. Opulent aromas of superripe peach and apricot complicated by licorice, sweet almond, quinine, gin and nail polish. Luscious and long, with flavors similar to the aromas and a delicate peppery finish. I told Pierre and Jean that if I hadn't known better, I would have sworn a few botrytized grapes had found their way into this blend. Imagine my surprise when Pierre candidly admitted that in this vintage 20% of the berries were hit by noble rot, "an unusual occurrence for us, but there was no avoiding it; the winds coming from the Vallée and noteworthy humidity allowed for rampant noble rot development in our vineyards." A very impressive wine, but I'll admit it lacks the crystalline purity of the very best vintages of Frédéric Emile: I would also have also liked even more acidity. Still, it's a very sexy, still-youthful wine.