“This is again a gorgeous collection by the Dr. Loosen Estate, which offers some gorgeously vibrant dry wines, crisp Kabinett, smooth yet playful Spätlese and gorgeously honeyed Auslese.” Jean Fisch & David Rayer, Mosel Fine Wines on the 2015s.
Dr. Loosen’s ever-reliable Dr L Dry was our first Riesling to land from 2015. It gave immediate credence to Jancis Robinson’s claim that this German harvest was “clearly exceptional”. The arrival late last year of the Prädikat wines from this flagship Mosel producer gave further evidence, if it were needed, that the hype was entirely justified.
And now it’s the turn of the finest dry wines, the Grosses Gewächs, from the top-rated vineyards of Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Ürziger Würzgarten and Erdener Prälat. As Stuart Pigott, author of that paean to Riesling Best White Wine On Earth, pointed out in his 2015 tasting report, Germany’s dry Riesling story has become all the more exciting because the Mosel’s best growers are catching up with their counterparts in nearby Nahe, where legends like Dönnhoff reign supreme. And Ernst Loosen is firmly in that rank, as evidenced by Pigott’s decision t
o select no fewer than three Dr. Loosen GGs in his Top 25 Dry German Rieslings report last year.
Erni Loosen called the 2015 season “balm to the winemaker’s soul”. Likewise, the wines we’re presenting here will soothe, caress and ease the winelover’s soul. Apply liberally.
THE WINES
2015 Dr Loosen ‘Dr L’ Dry Riesling RRP $25
The 2015er Riesling Dry Dr. L is fermented and matured in stainless steel. It offers a very attractive and direct nose of pear, spices and herbs, leaving an elegantly mineral and fruity feel in the long nice finish. 2017-2020. 87 points. Jean Fisch & David Rayer, Mosel Fine Wines October 2016
2015 Dr Loosen Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Grosses Gewächs RRP $74
Because Erni Loosen has been making the GGs from the Würzgarten, Treppchen and Prälat longer than this wine, it often gets ignored or underrated. The nose is like a huge bouquet of flowers, and you need some time to take them all in. The palate’s generous and juicy, but also very elegant and graceful, the very ripe gently acidity lifting the rich body. Intensely mineral finish. 94 points. Stuart Pigott, jamessuckling.com September 2016
2015 Dr Loosen Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Grosses Gewächs RRP $91
This was quite yeasty when poured but quickly opened up. Stunning nose of wild strawberry, peach and spice. Still medium-bodied, but with some real old-vine intensity, then a dazzling finish in which all the spice returns. 94 points. Stuart Pigott, jamessuckling.com September 2016
2015 Dr Loosen Erdener Prälat Riesling Grosses Gewächs RRP $180
MAGNUM RRP $410
This is a very sexy wine that is extremely hard to resist. Starts with the huge nose of mango, herbs, and toasted almonds. Lots of power and depth, but the most striking things is how all the elements fit together seamlessly, the acidity discrete for a dry Mosel wine, with the very long finish silky in a way that’s rare for this region. 95 points. Stuart Pigott, jamessuckling.com September 2016
2015 Dr Loosen Bernkasteler Lay Riesling Kabinett RRP $40
MAGNUM RRP $106
The 2015er Bernkasteler Lay Kabinett was made with fruit harvested at a modest 82° Oechsle. It offers a gorgeous nose of fresh herbs, white peach and spices. The wine dances on the palate, with good presence and elegance. The finish is airy and vibrant. This is a deliciously well-made Kabinett 2025-2035. 91 points. Jean Fisch & David Rayer, Mosel Fine Wines October 2016
2015 Dr Loosen Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett RRP $44
MAGNUM RRP $106
This offers a rather elegant feel of herbs and spices, pear and white flowers on the nose. The wine is nicely elegant and vibrant yet well balanced on the palate and leaves a clean feel in the finish. The wine only needs a little bit of time to smoothen its sharp edges and should then prove a lovely expression of Wehlener Sonnenuhr. 2025-2040. 92 points. Jean Fisch & David Rayer, Mosel Fine Wines October 2016
2015 Dr Loosen Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett RRP $44
2015 Dr Loosen Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese RRP $65
This offers a rather elegant nose of pear, white minerals and flowers. The wine is delicately creamy on the palate, with more minerals and a touch of sweetness still in need of integration. The finish proves however nicely vibrant and juicy. 2025-2040. 91 points. . Jean Fisch & David Rayer, Mosel Fine Wines October 2016
2015 Dr Loosen Erdener Treppchen Riesling Spätlese MAGNUM RRP $149
This offers a gorgeous elegant feel of yellow peach, white minerals and earthy herbs. The wine is nicely playful and vibrant on the palate as more white minerals and juicy yellow fruits come through towards the airy and elegant finish. This proves light, airy and very hard to resist. It only needs a decade to fully integrate its youthful exuberance. 2025-2045. 93 points. Jean Fisch & David Rayer, Mosel Fine Wines October 2016
2015 Dr Loosen Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese 187ml RRP $32
This offers a gorgeous nose of apricot, herbs, yellow peach, baked pineapple and spices. The wine is rather ripe and rich on the palate and develops an intense and slightly broad feel in the creamy and vibrant finish. This will firm up with age and should then prove a great expression of Riesling Auslese. 2025-2040. 91-93 points. . Jean Fisch & David Rayer, Mosel Fine Wines October 2016
2015 Dr Loosen Erdener Treppchen Riesling Auslese MAGNUM RRP $255
This offers a gorgeous nose of yellow peach wrapped into a hint of apricot, some white minerals and lots of fine spices. The wine is gorgeously fruity and vibrant on the palate and leaves a superb yet playful “Auslese GK” feel in the creamy and vibrant finish. 2025-2040. 92-91 points. Jean Fisch and David Rayer, Mosel Fine Wines October 2016
2015 Dr Loosen Erdener Prälat Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel 375ml RRP $91
MAGNUM RRP $396
This offers a gorgeous elegant nose of yellow peach, spices and herbs. A beautifully elegant touch of airy minerals adds a gorgeous side to the smooth and delicately creamy feel on the palate, where honeyed fruits and smoky minerals woe for attention. The finish is focused, precise and delicately sweet. This is a stunningly complex rendition of dessert wine from the Prälat in the making! 2030-2055. 94-96 points. Jean Fisch & David Rayer, Mosel Fine Wines October 2016
2015 Dr Loosen Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Auslese 375ml RRP $64
MAGNUM RRP $255
This offers a great nose of yellow peach and grapefruit wrapped into almond, honeyed herbs and fine spices. The honeyed side takes over on the ravishingly playful palate and leaves a slightly broad but nicely Auslese GK feel in the long finish. 2025-2045+. 91-94 points. Jean Fisch & David Rayer, Mosel Fine Wines October 2016