2013 Weingut Leitz, Riesling Trocken, Rudesheimer Berg Schlossberg “Ehrenfels” VDP Grosse Lage (Grosses Gewachs) Rheingau, Germany.
This absolutely gorgeous dry Riesling comes from steep slopes near the castle above the Rhein in Rudesheim’s Berg Schlossberg Cru one of the top sites in region and one I’m particularly fond of having walked this vineyard in person back in 2009, one of the greatest vineyard hikes ever! This spot gets great exposure with terraced plots and stress slate soils making it a perfect place for intense dry wines and Johannes Leitz has nailed with this 2013, this is a magical offering is damn near perfect with great extract, acidity and detail. The Leitz Grosses Gewachs Ehrenfels Schlossberg starts with lime, white flowers, orchard fruits, saline and flinty spices leading to a vibrant and vivid palate with white peach, apricot, green apple and mixed citrus, but coming back to lime and tangerine as well as mango along with wet shale, briny notes and white tea/herbal elements. This wine is very young, electric and bristling with energy and power with amazing depth, charm and length, and while I’ll always love his Kabinett and Spatlese, Johannes is proving to be as excellent in these top end dry examples too, drink from 2017 to 2028.
($57 Est.) 95 Points, grapelive
