Dr. Loosen Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2019

Riesling
Spatlese

The insanely steep, red-soil Ürziger Würzgarten vineyard produces wines of a completely unique nature in the Mosel valley. The wines showcase the typically juicy and precocious fruit of the “spice garden” vineyard, with a rich mouth feel, brisk acidity and lingering finish. Spätlese is produced with grapes that have a week or two extra hang time, but still without any botrytis. The extra time on the vine gives them higher ripeness and deeper flavors.

Notes of spice and crushed earth abound in this intensely ripe but classic expression of the red-slate slopes of Urziger Wurzgarten. Delicately sweet and delightfully tropical, it balances rich, ripe melon and pineapple flavors against a zippy spine of lemon acidity. The finish is long and smoky. Delicious in youth but should evolve beautifully through 2035 and hold longer still.

James Suckling – 94 points
Wine Enthusiast – 94 points
Robert Parker – 90 points