2015 Weingut Leitz, Riesling, Rüdesheimer Drachenstein VDP Erste Lage, Rheingau Germany.
I must say first and foremost, tasting with Leitz and sampling some of the GG’s in their own vineyard terroirs was one of the most incredible wine experiences I’ve had, even now I can hardly contain myself and words cannot really explain my feelings of joy! The 2015 vintage in Germany is without question proving to be a great one, and the Leitz 2015’s are monumental and emotional wines for the ages, they will need time to fully evolve and unfold, they are youthful, expressive and powerful Rieslings, especial the 3 Grand Cru, Grosses Gewachs, I tasted among the vines above Rudesheim overlooking the beautiful Rhein. One of the wines that really stood out and that deserves mention is the fantastic 2015 Rudesheimer Drachenstein 1er Cru, or VDP Erste Lage, or as will call it “The Rude Dragon” it is a beauty with gorgeous fruit and detail, a full on Trocken with stunning crystal clear mineral and terroir driven energy and vitality. This is as good as it gets, and it should be a steal when or if we can get it in the States, and those of us that love the Dragonstone QbA will be delighted with it’s more serious and drier sibling, without losing it’s unique character and charm from the quartiz of it’s soil. The nose is shy at first, but opens to yellow roses, hints of wet stones, saltiness and citrus before filling the palate with sublime detail, which includes peach, tangerine, minty/lime, a touch of apple and flinty/mineral spice. Tight and vibrant, this wine explodes with vigor and brightness, it will be amazing for decades to come and stunning with meals, this wine is full of class and focus, transparent and long, fans of top Premier Cru Chablis will absolutely spell bound by this Leitz Erste Lage Drachenstein, it is almost a quilt free wine, quality and will the ability to be enjoyed anytime. This and the Rudesheimer “Magic Mountain” are the wines from Johannes Leitz you should stock up on, they are wines that way over perform for the price, and for the cellar the GG’s Kaisersteinfels, Schlossberg and Rottlands are out of this world! Drink the Rude Dargon, Rudesheimer Drachenstein Erste Lage from 2018 to 2028, though I will myself be hard pressed not to open a few immediately, this is tasty Riesling!
($N/A) 94 Points, grapelive
