2015 Weingut Leitz, Riesling Trocken, Rudesheimer Berg Roseneck, Grosses Gewachs, Rheingau Germany.
The beautiful Leitz plots at Berg Roseneck face south and slightly east, giving a wonderful exposure to this steep vineyard site above the hamlet of Rudesheim, every time I walk this place I am more in awe, my recent trip allowed me more time to enjoy this special place and some of the great wines made here, and in fact I was able to taste Leitz’s GG Roseneck, GG Schlossberg and GG Kaisersteinfels in their own vineyards, an amazing moment! All three of these gorgeous young dry Rieslings are stunning Grosse Lage bottlings, picking the best of them is almost pointless, though they are very unique to themselves with different soils and slopes, they are all tight and firm, all need time to fill out and develop, so if I was going to drink one of three young it might be the more generous and earthy Roseneck GG, though I personally love the Kaisersteinfels and Schlossberg Ehrenfels and think they might get closer to perfection over time, my notes rate them 96-98 easy, and they might be the best dry Rudesheimer Bergs of the vintage, if not ever! Still, the Roseneck GG is charming, nervy and serious, cooly crisp steely with powerful extract and sharply detailed with brisk and forceful intensity, the slate really shines through, but it’s earthy richness seduces the palate with primal green apple, white plum, lime and tart tree picked apricot fruits, loamy and flinty stones, wet salty shale, mineral spice and lingering tropical notes, verbena tea, white cherries and peach pit. This tangy and zesty Riesling is just beginning to awaken and has lots more to come in the next 5 to 10 years, light rose perfume, white flowers and citrus leaf barely lift from the glass, even with air, but add a heavenly dreamy feel to this fantastic wine. A huge thanks to Johannes, Markus and Jan of Leitz for the amazing tour of the winery, plus the vines, an awesome tasting of these wines and especially the friendship, this was one of my greatest experiences in the wine business, this terroir has touched my soul, and the 2015 Leitz wines are must have wines, certainly some of the best and most compelling Rieslings from this region, don’t miss them.
($56 Est.) 94+ Points, grapelive
