2015 Weingut Leitz, Riesling Kabinett Feinherb, Rudesheimer Kirchenpfad, Rheingau Germany.
The wonderfully flavorful and generous Leitz Kirchenpfad Kabinett Feinherb is a mostly dry and lightly fruity Riesling with lots of citrus and stone fruits, brisk acidity and chock full of mineral as well as rosewater and white flowers that unfold on the nose along with saline and stones. The fleshy peach and apricot compliment zesty lime and tangerine on the palate which is energetic and lively fresh with a light feel giving this wine a softly delicate mouth feel and subtle lush character, but with the vitality and verve you’d expect from Leitz. The sense of clearness and purity really carries this charming Kabinett and it’s mild hint of sweetness only adds to the overall enjoyment and doesn’t in any way distract from it’s focus, this is lovely and easy drinking wine that gives a lot for the price and is good with many food choices, I would like it with mussels in spicy broth or with a mix of Asian foods, but it will go with almost anything and will certainly provide refreshing cool and crisp companionship. Not as intense as the more slate driven wines in the lineup for 2015, but a wine of respectable quality and stylish ease to drink anytime. On my visit to Germany last month and in trade tastings this last Summer I have found the Kabinett 2015 vintage wines absolutely heavenly and they may not be the height of fashion with all the hype around the Trockens, but they are stunning values and great drinking wines, and remarkably good choices to mid-term cellar. The Leitz GG’s are out of this world, that is true, but I would not over look the Kabinett and Spatlese in 2015, keep your eyes out for them!
($21 Est.) 90 Points, grapelive
