2013 Weingut Leitz, Riesling, Dragonstone, Rheingau, Germany.
The Rudesheimer Drachenstein is full of quartzite with some slate, clay and loose soils, it is unique site and it gives the Leitz Dragonstone is flavor, it is a rich and pure Riesling showing upfront fruity character along with perky vibrancy. The vintage 2013 version is a touch lighter than either the 2011 or 2012, but doesn’t suffer for it, and is drinking wonderfully at present with a focus of crystalline mineral, yellow peach and soft tropical notes to go with bright and zesty citrus, lemongrass and honeycomb. The palate feels lush and weighty with about Kabinett levels of sweetness or a touch more, but you don’t taste a cloying sensation or are hit with sugar, more in texture which turns a touch creamy, without losing any vigor making the new Dragonstone by Johannes Leitz a pleasing wine and a very flexible one, it should be a great companion to all sorts of cuisine and makes for a relaxing sipper as well, especially on the warm evenings of late Spring and Summer. There is a hint of flinty spice, green apple and lemon/lime that go well with the chalky salty stone and brine notes in the background, this wine gets more appealing in the glass, lingering with candied dried pineapple, and it has plenty of charm and class, it proves again you do not always need a Trocken or bone dry wine to be very happy, I’ve always been been a fan of this wine and it is without question a super value for the quality, drink from 2015 to 2020.
($20 Est.) 91 Points, grapelive
