2012 Weingut Leitz, Riesling, Rüdesheimer Berg Roseneck, Spätlese, Rheingau Germany.
Johannes Leitz makes some of the finest wines in Germany and his Rheingau Rieslings are world renown, so I would be telling you anything new here when I gush about his latest set of wines from Rudesheim, especially this fantastic 2012 “Rosie” Spatlese. Rudesheim’s Rudesheimer Berg vineyard is one the best walking tours in the wine world, I was there in 2009 and hiked almost every inch of this amazing site above the Rhein River, this is a magical place to visit and seeing eagles, red foxes and castle ruins are just an added bonus to experiencing these vines. The Roseneck sits in a lovely exposure on grey slate soils with quartz veins and some loam facing southwest, the light here is spectacular with the river and beautiful skies, the grapes have a very special spot to live and it certainly shows in the wines. The 2012 Leitz Rudesheimer Berg Roseneck Spatlese is richly flavored and perfectly defined with subtle sweetness and impressive elegance, structure and intensity, plus this beauty will only continue to improve with age making for a wonderful rewarding investment in drinking treasure. The nose is bright and sings with rose petal, lime flower, white tea, sea shore, wild herbs and citrus leading to a medium full palate that flows with green apple, yellow peach, tropical tones, almost cherry sensations, white plum and lime along with spicy flint, wet stones, saline plus iodine, mango and mineral steeliness. The texture is glorious and turns creamy, but never loses it’s drive and vibrancy, this is classic stuff and I can only hope to have this wine in the future after it evolves or the decade to come, it just may bring even more rewards than I can imagine, this is a Spatlese to search out and cellar mid term, drink from 2016 to 2025, without a doubt this is terrific Riesling of pure terroir and classic substance.
($48 Est.) 94 Points, grapelive
Coming Soon: Grapelive 2013 Riesling Preview Report
For more on Leitz and 2012 German Riesling check out the Grapelive 2012 Riesling Report READ ON
