2014 Weingut Leitz, Riesling QbA, Dragon Stone, Rheingau Germany.
This wine has it all, a great package, superb quality and is a killer value, Leitz nailed it with the Dragon Stone and it certainly remains one of my favorite wines, I in fact always try to keep a few bottles around, this is solid slightly off dry Riesling that delivers in wonderful and expressive fashion. 2014 was a difficult vintage and I was wondering how Leitz would do, but all fear melted away the second the wine hit the glass and it’s golden hue shimmered brightly and a lovely pure scent rose up, on the palate this Leitz Drachenstein aka Dragon Stone, named for the veins of quartzite that are in this vineyard that look like dragon skin against the loose slate and ancient soils above Rudesheim, is full of flavor with classic yellow fruits, mineral, mixed herbs, saline and lush texture. The 2014 is slightly drier in feel compared to the last few vintages, but still has some sugar, somewhere close to Kabinett level in impression, though more dense in body, it comes in at 10% alcohol, this is pretty much as expected in this charming Riesling, it can be very flexible with cuisine and is great all on it’s own. This wine has enough flare and verve to keep you entertained all on it’s own, though fabulous with fall salads, seafood, Indian fare and even Central American dishes, I enjoy it with my hybrid spicy street/food truck Asian/Mex tacos, plus it goes brilliantly with smoked ham and even the holiday season table, as mentioned it is a great drinking Riesling to have around all year. The 2014 starts with a nose that shows tropical notes, rose petals, basil and wet river stones which leads to a palate of yellow peach, lemon/lime, kiwi and green apple along with flinty/chalk stones, pineapple, tart white cherries, a hint of honey, tangy minty notes, steely mineral, a touch of sea brine, earth and spice finishing with a burst of acidity and crisp sweetness. This wine is hard to beat for the money, well crafted and from an important terroir, the Leitz Dragon Stone continues to impress and in style, drink this over the next 3 to 5 years, though with this level of extract and sugar, I might put a few bottles away for 10 to 15 years just to see, could be magic, best from 2016 to 2021.
($20 Est.) 92 Points, grapelive
