2013 Weingut Leitz, Riesling, Rudesheimer Berg Roseneck, Spatlese, Rheingau Germany.
Since first trying this beautiful Riesling as a cask sample it has really changed and grown into a magnificent wine of subtlety and grace, it is a wine that softly whispers in your ear and pleases all of your senses. The 2013 Rosie is not as flamboyant as the 2011 or 2012, but this is not a bad thing at all and it carries it’s Spatlese weight and sugar lightly, in fact at 7.5% alcohol the Leitz Rudesteimer Berg Roseneck is wonderfully balanced, there are Chardonnays out there, even so called “great” ones that feel so much more sweet or cloying than this wine, such is the terroir and balance, this is lovely stuff. Somewhat shy at early stages, vintage 2013 is looking fantastic as a long term cellar charmer for most of Germany, especially coming good are Rheingau and Nahe wines and they seem to be catching up on the much more sexy 2011 and 2012 wines, but these are without question wines to own, and all starting to show their unique characteristics. The 2013 Leitz Rudesheimer Berg Roseneck cru Spatlese starts with a pale golden color and catches light like a diamond in the glass, then a soft slightly honeyed perfume rises with delicate rose petals, tropical essences, salty brine, flint and fleshy stone fruits leading to a palate filled with lime, apple butter, mango and yellow peach fruits along with shale and river stones, white tea, dried pineapple, verbena and lingering apricot marmalade. The Roseneck feels heavenly and the mouth feel is creamy and round, but still full of vibrancy with a lifting tangerine/citrus energy as well as pure mineral tones, there is very little if any petrol fumes at this stage, it is more about finesse and gorgeous delicacy and detail, though there will be more to come in the years ahead, and you can easily see this is going to age remarkably well. The 2013 is a wine that is now superb cuisine and posed table wine with some sugar and fruity qualities, it would be great with BBQ shrimp, Asian fare, smoked ham and sushi, I even adored it with ginger beef and noodles! Drink the 2013 Leitz Roseneck Spatlese over the next decade, best from 2016 to 2024, maybe longer? As a side note, having walked this vineyard, it offers a glorious view of the Rhein and Rudesheim, this steep site on weathered slate is a spectacular place for a hike, and even better with a glass of this Riesling in your hand.
($43 Est.) 94 Points, grapelive