Today we present one of the all-time greats from the Mosel region of Western Germany. The Dr. Loosen estate has been in the same family for more than 200 years. Dr. Ernst Loosen assumed ownership in 1988, he realized that, with ungrafted vines averaging 60 years old in some of Germany’s top-rated vineyards, he had the raw materials to create stunningly intense, world-class Rieslings. He was the only one of his siblings interested in taking over the winery and Ernst focused on becoming one of the regions top winemakers, as he completed his studies at Germany’s renowned winemaking school in Geisenheim and then completed a self directed review of the great wines of the world including Austria, to Burgundy and Alsace, even to California. He wanted to visit these great winemaking regions and learn from other top winemakers.
Dr. Loosen has gained an International reputation for killer value Rieslings that shows that special blue slated terroir and bright minerality of the reigon. He has also been collaborating with Chateau Ste. Michelle for more than a decade and helps produce what is year after year one of Washington’s top Rieslings, the Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica’ Riesling.
For his wines Dr. Loosen sources from some of the Mosel’s top vineyards including the Wehlener Sonnenuhr and the Urziger Wurzgarten. I love the new range of wines that he produced. Check out the killer value 2021 Dr. Loosen ‘Blue Slate’ Riesling (OB, 91) which is very fresh and vibrant on the palate with a great core of fruits. The 2021 Dr. Loosen ‘Erdinger Teppchen’ Spatlase Riesling (OB, 94) which might not be the most dense Spatlase but is seamless and absolutely irresistible right now with its beautiful tension and stony tones. Learn more about this famed winery at https://drloosen.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Dr. Loosen
NV Dr. Lo With Bubbles Riesling (alcohol removed)- Peach and green apple notes mingle with sweetened gooseberry on the palate. Drink 2023-2026- 88
2021 Dr. Loosen Riesling- A killer value, the 2021 Dr. Loosen Riesling shows plenty of minerality once on the mouth. Layers of Pink Lady apple collide with wet stone and shades of kerosene on the palate. Drink 2023-2028- 89
2021 Dr. Loosen ‘Dry’ Riesling- Juicy and delicious, the Trocken-inspired ‘Dry’ Rielsing offers sourdough bread and Gravenstein apple flavors alongside plenty of stony minerals. Drink this great value now. Drink 2023-2028- 89
2021 Dr. Loosen ‘Red Slate’ Riesling- The 2021 ‘Red Slate’ is filled with marvelous tension once on the mouth. Layers of bright citrus rind flavors collide with Granny Smith apple and copious minerals on the palate. Enjoy now while the freshness remains intact. Drink 2023-2028- 90
2021 Dr. Loosen ‘Blue Slate’ Riesling- The 2021 ‘Blue Slate’ is an irresistible value buy by Dr. Loosen. Fresh and finesse-driven, this shows lovely stony undertones alongside sweet nectarine, Yakima cherry and green papaya notes on the palate. Drink 2023-2029- 91
2021 Dr. Loosen ‘Erdener Teppchen’ Spatlase Riesling- The impossible to resist 2021 Dr. Loosen ‘Erdener Teppchen’ Spatlase Riesling might not be the richest Spatlase on the market but the sense of balance is absolutely impeccable. Green apple and freshly sliced lime flavors combine with wet slate and shades of petrol on the palate. Seamless, and mineral-driven, this is quite frankly a joy to consume right now. Drink 2023-2033- 94