Friday, September 16, 2005

Two Rieslings

Weingut Grans-Kassian
1997 Piersporter Goldtropfchen
Riesling Auslese, Mosel
$55.00

Dr. Loosen
2003 Urziger Wurzgarten
Riesling Spatlese, Mosel
$35.00
Shane’s Notes

The Dr. Loosen was white and had an aroma of pears. The flavor palate showed pears and lemons and was just a little creamy with steely undertones. It was spritzy, zesty, had a firm acidity and was tightly wound. We enjoyed it but think it could age for at least 5 to 7 years before the flavor palate matures.

We have enjoyed most of the German Rieslings we have tasted, so we decided it was time to try a premium, aged Riesling. Jen chose a 1997 gold capsule Auslese. The gold capsule Auslesen are sweet enough to be considered dessert wines and usually have some botrytis.* The synthesis of bottle age and gold capsule quality grapes definitely makes a difference. This Riesling is richer with a more concentrated flavor palate than the other Rieslings we have tried. We have called some of the other Rieslings “lush,” but that was only in comparison to a Sauvignon Blanc or a Chardonnay. This Riesling showed us just how “lush” a premium Riesling can be.

The aromas were minerally and lemony while the color was a deep yellow. The palate was spritzy (that’s the last time I’m mentioning this characteristic in a Riesling review – every Riesling we have drunk is spritzy) and included a rich, lemon curd flavor with a creamy overlay (probably from botrytization). There were also subsidiary flavors of tropical fruit and brown sugar. The palate was relatively complex and ultra concentrated. The finish was wonderfully long with just enough acidity to hold this one together. It might be too sweet for some people, but if your palate can handle it, this one is outstanding.

*Wine Spectator, April 30, 2005, page 115

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