Dr Loosen Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Grosses Gewächs Reserve Alte Reben 2019
Dr Loosen Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Grosses Gewächs Reserve Alte Reben represents the absolute pinnacle of Ernst Loosen's dry winemaking vision. This rare Reserve bottling undergoes an extraordinary twenty-four months of undisturbed aging on the full lees inside traditional, neutral oak Fuder barrels, followed by a further three years of maturation in the bottle before release. The fruit is drawn from a protected enclave of ancient, un-grafted old Riesling vines within the "Spice Garden of Ürzig" - a dramatic, amphitheatre-shaped cliff face distinguished by its unique, iron-rich red volcanic soil rather than the typical slate of the region. The extended barrel maturation yields a spectacularly complex bouquet, bursting with aromas of exotic spice, dried apricot, yellow plum, and a highly distinctive, smoky volcanic minerality. On the palate, the wine is vast, powerful, and deeply layered, showing a rich, oily texture that is masterfully reined in by a vibrant, pulsating current of natural acidity. The finish is remarkably persistent, driving forward with a salty, savory precision and complex herbal length. With its epic concentration and mature structural foundation, this luxury dry white is built to evolve and improve over the next twenty to thirty years. To fully appreciate its depth, decant it an hour before serving alongside high-end gastronomy such as slow-roasted belly of pork, pan-fried John Dory with a rich saffron reduction, or a classic, aromatic crown of roasted duck.
