Dr Loosen Erdener Treppchen Riesling Spatlese, Mosel

Description

Dr Loosen Erdener Treppchen Riesling Spatlese is made in the Mosel wine-growing region of Germany. Located in far western Germany, the Mosel valley’s steep, southfacing slopes create the perfect climate for Riesling, giving the vines ideal exposure to the sun. The cool climate allows the grapes to ripen slowly while retaining bright acidity It is made in a medium sweet style.

The Dr. Loosen estate has been in the same family for over 200 years. When Ernst Loosen (pronounced loh-zen) assumed ownership in 1988, he realized that with ungrafted vines averaging 60 years old in some of Germany’s best-rated vineyards, he had the raw materials to create stunningly intense, world-class wines. To achieve this, Ernst dramatically reduced his crop size and stopped all chemical fertilization, preferring only moderate use of organic fertilizers. And, most importantly, he turned to gentler cellar practices that allow the wine to develop its full potential with a minimum of handling and technological meddling.

Erdener Treppchen means “The Little Staircase of Erden”. Long ago, stone steps were built into this vineyard’s steep hillside to help workers reach the vines. The iron-infused, red Devonian slate soil produces wines that are muscular and complex, with an intense mineral finish. Wines from Erdener Treppchen are more like a powerful, hard-body rock climber than the graceful ballet dancer of Wehlener Sonnenuhr. They benefit greatly from a few years in the bottle to develop fully.

The grapes Dr Loosen Erdener Treppchen Riesling Spatlese are hand selected in the vineyard. The Spätlese designation means that the grapes get an extra week or two of hang time, which helps them develop higher ripeness and deeper flavors. After harvest they undergo cool fermentation in a combination of stainless steel tanks and traditional Fuder barrels. Fermentation is stopped by chilling producing a medium sweet style of wine.