Alsace Riesling Cuvée Fréderic Emile 2019 Domaine Trimbach

The Riesling Cuvée Frédéric Emile 2019 from Domaine Trimbach is the signature cuvée and most celebrated wine from this reference house, affectionately known worldwide as "Freddie" by collectors and enthusiasts everywhere. A prestige wine and collectible icon of Alsace, it embodies power and elegance with remarkable ageing potential. The 2019 vintage, hailed as one of the finest of the decade, is expressive and juicy with white peach and almond blossom leaping from the glass, immediately seductive with fresh, balanced and dry flavours lifted by playful acidity. This vintage shows beautiful restraint, no sign of overripeness, with a long and enchanting finish, characteristically stony and mineral.

Terroir and the history of a legendary cuvée

The Grand Cru terroirs of Geisberg and Osterberg in Ribeauvillé, facing south and south-east above the domaine, have given birth to this wine for many generations. The vines average around 45 years old, yielding small crops. Cuvée Frédéric Emile draws from Ribeauvillé's finest terroirs, notably the famous shelly limestone or Muschelkalk, on south to south-east facing slopes. It bears the name of Frédéric-Emile Trimbach, who received the highest honours for his wines at the 1898 International Fair in Brussels. The marly-calcareous-sandstone and shelly limestone composition, this Muschelkalk, combined with carefully hand-selected ripe grapes, gives the wine its distinctive personality: a dry, powerful Riesling marked by mineral notes and finely chiselled acidity. Winemaking follows the house's timeless philosophy: hand harvest, gentle pressing in pneumatic press, temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel for three to four weeks. All sugars ferment until the wine is completely dry, with no malolactic fermentation to preserve freshness and natural acidity.

Tasting profile

Freddie is mineral with soft acidity and good ageing potential, with flavours of ripe grapes and developing interesting floral notes after years of bottle age. On the 2019, the nose opens with immediate expressiveness and generosity: aromas of white peach, candied citrus, almond blossom and bergamot bloom brightly, before the smoky, petrolled minerality characteristic of Muschelkalk from Ribeauvillé gradually emerges. On the palate, the wine is broad with rich fruit and a crisp, zesty finish. Natural acidity, preserved by the absence of malolactic conversion, structures a rich and generous palate without heaviness. The finish shows length and persistence that defy time. Great vintages of Cuvée Frédéric Emile age for twenty years and beyond. Drink from 2025 through 2039 and beyond.

The house

Rooted in Alsace since 1626, the Trimbach name quickly built a reputation across the region and internationally, particularly under Frédéric-Emile Trimbach in the late 19th century. Though the domaine sits on magnificent terroirs, some classified as Grand Cru, the Trimbach family shows little interest in appellation racing, preferring to produce refined blends sold under proprietary names. Pierre Trimbach, 12th generation, makes wine with his nephew Julien, supported by ambassadors Jean and Anne, the first of the 13th generation. HVE-3 organic certification was obtained in 2023, crowning decades of commitment to quality and terroir respect.

Food pairings

This Riesling Cuvée Frédéric Emile pairs beautifully with grilled Breton lobster with tarragon butter, sole meunière, wild turbot in champagne sauce, glazed eel, scallops with caviar, Bresse chicken in cream sauce or dishes featuring white truffle. It also harmonises well with aged hard cheeses such as 24 month Comté or alpine Beaufort. Served at 10 to 12°C, with 30 minutes of decanting recommended for younger vintages, it progressively reveals the power, smoky minerality and magnificent tension of one of the world's most admired Alsatian Rieslings.