December 1, 2014 | News | Wines of the Month
This month, we feature a 2011er dry Riesling released only few days. Wait, you will say: A 2011er? Released now? Reserve? The short answer to all is: yes. Here is the story!
In an attempt to return to the methods used by his grandfather, Erni Loosen from the Weingut Dr. Loosen held back part of his 2011er Ürziger Würzgarten and Erdener Prälat GG and extended their aging in traditional cask (Fuder) to 24 months. To differentiate them from the "regular" GG, he commercializes these wines as GG Reserve (he also made a GG "Grand Reserve" (1) aged 36 months in Fuder, which has yet to be released).
We were bowled over by this 2011er Ürziger Würzgarten and, more generally by the whole new set of GG Reserve and GG Grand Reserve initiative. If these initial tastings are to go by, these wines seem to set new standards in terms of dry Riesling in the Mosel. They are THAT impressive.
We provide a full background to these wines as well as detailed tasting notes of the 2011s and the 2012s in the Mosel Fine Wines Issue No 26 (Oct 2014). This Issue is only available to subscribers. Not yet a subscriber? You can become one, free of charge, by simply registering yourself here below.
2011er
Dr. Loosen
Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling GG Reserve
86 13
93
The Würzgarten Reserve GG is made from parcels of very old un-grafted vines in the prime Urglück, Maxberg, Layenhaus and original Würzgarten sectors. It is fermented with ambient yeasts and aged in oak for 24 months before being bottled. This has a rather reserved, elegant and smoky nose. After some airing it shows a broader aromatic profile with anise, mint, yellow peach and a touch of toffee (a sign of reduction). The wine is however full of freshness and elegance on the palate and leaves a gorgeously spicy and salty imprint in the very long and pure finish. This is a great dry Riesling which is probably slightly in a closed-down phase, so our advice would be to wait a few more years or bottle it well in advance. 2016-2021+
(1) Note added end of January 2015: The wine referred to here as "Grand Reserve GG" will, in fact, be called "Hommage". As we explained in our report, Erni Loosen sees this wine as a "Hommage to his father."
© Text by Mosel Fine Wines "The Independent Review of Mosel Riesling ... and beyond!"
Disclaimer: Mosel Fine Wines is an independent publication and has no commercial relationship with any Estate, association or organization featured in this article.
