Dr. Loosen
Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese 2020
| Denomination | N/A |
|---|---|
| Size | 0,75 l |
| Alcohol content | 8.0% by volume |
| Area | Mosel-Saar-Ruwer (Germany) |
| Grape varieties | 100% Riesling |
| Aging | Aged on full lees for 12 months; no bâtonnage. |
- Vintage and style: Riesling Spätlese 2020, late harvest white wine with a semi-sweet profile
- Origin: Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Mosel (Germany), Devonian blue slate soil rich in minerals
- Vinification: Fermented with indigenous yeasts; aged for 12 months on the lees without bâtonnage
- Aromas and taste: White peach, melon, mandarin and ginger, with a finish of sage and tarragon
- Serving: 12-14 °C, decant for 1 hour; ideal with shellfish, cheese, desserts. Suitable for a vegan diet
Description
What kind of wine it is
The Dr. Loosen Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese is a white wine from the Mosel with a captivating profile, made exclusively from late-harvested Riesling grapes. This German expression stands out for its full and complex body, balanced by pronounced freshness and evident minerality. On the palate, it is rich and juicy, characterised by an enveloping texture that leads to a crisp and incisive finish. The bouquet elegantly blends notes of white peach, green apple and mandarin, enriched by hints of dried ginger. Its natural sweetness makes it ideal paired with mature cheeses such as Époisses, shellfish or dishes like Tarte Tatin, and it is also perfect for those following a vegan diet.
Where it comes from
The prestige of this wine originates in the renowned Wehlener Sonnenuhr vineyard, located in the historic and highly regarded Mosel region. This steep plot is characterised by stony, shallow soils, composed mainly of mineral-rich Devonian blue slate. This composition encourages the vine’s natural nourishment and stores solar heat, prompting the plants to develop deep roots. Such terroir conditions give the wine a distinctive crisp and mineral profile, ensuring vibrant acidity and great longevity. The site has long been considered a top-class vineyard, capable of enhancing the aromatic ripeness of the grapes while fully respecting the local microclimate.
How it is produced
Dr. Loosen’s production process is based on rigorous grape selection and sustainable agricultural management. After the late harvest, the must ferments spontaneously with indigenous yeasts in oak barrels, preserving the varietal character of the Riesling and the nuances of the terroir. Ageing continues for twelve months on the full lees, without any bâtonnage. This delicate cellar work gives the wine remarkable structure and ensures an elegant persistence on the palate, culminating in a pure and vibrant finish with clear notes of sage, honey and tarragon.
History and Curiosities
The Dr. Loosen estate boasts over two centuries of winemaking excellence in the Mosel, today masterfully led by the intuition of Ernst Loosen. The renowned cru Wehlener Sonnenuhr, recognised since the nineteenth century as a prestigious vineyard and today awarded the esteemed title of VDP Grosse Lage, represents the qualitative pinnacle of the region. This vocation is best expressed in the Spätlese style, a late harvest capable of giving the grapes an extraordinary aromatic maturity that fascinates tasters.
Awards
-
2020
95/100
James Suckling is an influential American wine critic and journalist who worked at Wine Spectator for 30 years. He left the magazine in 2010 to start his own website and guidebook (JamesSuckling.com). He specialises in Italian and Bordeaux wines.
Tasting notes
Perfume
Color
Taste
Serve at:
12 - 14 °C
Longevity:
Over 25 years
Decanting time:
1 hour
- Start up year: 1988
- Bottles produced: 200.000
- Hectares: 20
A full range of Riesling styles is produced, following the traditions of both family lines: the dry wines inspired by his father's family, the Loosen, and the Prädikat wines inspired by his mother's family, the Prüm. Read more
| Name | Dr. Loosen Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese 2020 |
|---|---|
| Type | White still semi-aromatic |
| Denomination | N/A |
| Vintage | 2020 |
| Size | 0,75 l |
| Alcohol content | 8.0% by volume |
| Grape varieties | 100% Riesling |
| Country | Germany |
| Region | Mosel-Saar-Ruwer |
| Vendor | Dr. Loosen |
| Story | History and Curiosities The Dr. Loosen estate boasts over two centuries of winemaking excellence in the Mosel, today masterfully led by the intuition of Ernst Loosen. The renowned cru Wehlener Sonnenuhr, recognised since the nineteenth century as a prestigious vineyard and today awarded the esteemed title of VDP Grosse Lage, represents the qualitative pinnacle of the region. This vocation is best expressed in the Spätlese style, a late harvest capable of giving the grapes an extraordinary aromatic maturity that fascinates tasters. |
| Origin | Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Mosella, Germania |
| Soil composition | Rich in minerals, Devonian blue slate; stony and shallow soil |
| Harvest | Late harvest |
| Production technique | Fermented with indigenous yeasts in a 3,000-litre neutral oak barrel; matured on full lees for 12 months; no bâtonnage |
| Wine making | Fermented with indigenous yeast in a neutral 3,000-litre oak barrel; matured on full fine lees for 12 months; no bâtonnage. |
| Aging | Aged on full lees for 12 months; no bâtonnage. |
| Total acidity | 7.3 gr/L |
| Residual sugar | 8.7 gr/L |
| Allergens | Contains sulphites |