Dr. Loosen, I presume

J

Joel Stewart

Joel Stewart
Dr. Loosen, Riesling Kabinett, 1998, 8% abv. - pale straw gold in glass with a thin shade of brass. two different noses from two different glasses - from the bordeaux glass it's heavy bakery notes of yeast and white chocolate, cinnamon and gardenias exploding in the room. this glass amplifies the nose to ridiculous levels. in the riesling glass it's much more focused and limited...dill, simple fresh baked cookies, green apple slices. on the palate however the riesling glass delivers a far richer wine: ripe peach, followed by apples doused in lime with a drop or two of honey. lip-smacking delicious and showing no signs of age. tasted over 3 days, the later glasses fleshed out a bit more...and citrusy tangerine joins the lime party....refreshing, thirst quenching, delightful. wish i had a case of it.
 
originally posted by Joel Stewart:
actually, i saw it in a little wine shop sitting all by itself in a temp controlled cellar just the other day. curiosity got the best of me...
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Even better.

Good for you.

One time when curiosity leads to a good outcome.
 
originally posted by Joel Stewart:
Dr. Loosen, I presumeDr. Loosen, Riesling Kabinett, 1998, 8% abv. - pale straw gold in glass with a thin shade of brass. two different noses from two different glasses - from the bordeaux glass it's heavy bakery notes of yeast and white chocolate, cinnamon and gardenias exploding in the room. this glass amplifies the nose to ridiculous levels. in the riesling glass it's much more focused and limited...dill, simple fresh baked cookies, green apple slices. on the palate however the riesling glass delivers a far richer wine: ripe peach, followed by apples doused in lime with a drop or two of honey. lip-smacking delicious and showing no signs of age. tasted over 3 days, the later glasses fleshed out a bit more...and citrusy tangerine joins the lime party....refreshing, thirst quenching, delightful. wish i had a case of it.
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Joel,
Fancy meeting you here.
You've dropped into the lion's den, you know. Try to avoid looking pious and perhaps you won't be eaten.
Nah, that never works.
But welcome anywho . . .
Best, Jim
 
Rahsaan - thanks, i am a sucker for unexpected finds like that. this little shop holds a few off the beaten path curiosities...a serviceable saumur i'll get more of....and some '97 kruger-rumpfs i am debating on. i heard the k-r 90's may be questionable for aging tho.
 
Joel, Welcome to the best place on the internet to talk about aged riesling and off the beaten path curiosities.

Wait a minute. Is this still the best place on the internet to do anything anymore? I havent seen the official politburo position yet.
 
originally posted by Bill Buitenhuys:
Joel, Welcome to the best place on the internet to talk about aged riesling and off the beaten path curiosities.

Wait a minute. Is this still the best place on the internet to do anything anymore? I havent seen the official politburo position yet.
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"Best" is a relative term; subjective not objective. One person's best (Bill's) may not be another person's best (Joel's). Like wrong and right; good and bad.
What we have here is a complex state of affairs that despite all attempts, can not be described in over-simplified language.
Maybe if we used elaborate, inscrutible, arcane and obscure dialects we could begin to approach a rational and balanced position on the matter. But why would we do that? What possible contribution to vinous knowledge would be gained - and at what cost? Who would listen?
So, I say, fuck authority and do what you please.
In other words, drink aged riesling and delight in being a curiosity.

I await the knock at the door . . .
Best, Jim
 
Rahsaan, Daniel Vollenweider was assisting with the wine making at Dr. Loosen from 1997-99 (possibly prior to '97?, not sure). All the '97s (and a '99 I'm about to mention) have been outstanding. I only have a few bottles of '98s and am waiting to open those.

I had '99 Graacher Himmelreich Spatlese on Sat. This bottling is from a special plot within Himmelreich called 'Stablay' (different AP# than the normal Graach). It has a different geographical orientation than the rest of the vineyard. Much more minerality (definitely drinking rocks here) and excellent acidity. When I tried this wine on release, it was like sticking your finger in a light socket. The acidity is still quite electric. Can't see any reason why this won't age at least another 6-8 years, maybe more. From '99-02, this was an exclusive import of Old Vine Imports.
 
originally posted by Larry Stein:
Rahsaan, Daniel Vollenweider was assisting with the wine making at Dr. Loosen from 1997-99...
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Ok, that is a positive thing.

I had '99 Graacher Himmelreich Spatlese on Sat. This bottling is from a special plot within Himmelreich called 'Stablay' (different AP# than the normal Graach). It has a different geographical orientation than the rest of the vineyard..
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What do you mean 'different geographical orientation'? I didn't do in-depth studies but my memories of the vineyard are that it was pretty much just one big wall of vines without all the curves and different expositions found in the Doctor, for example.
 
I had '99 Graacher Himmelreich Spatlese on Sat. This bottling is from a special plot within Himmelreich called 'Stablay' (different AP# than the normal Graach). It has a different geographical orientation than the rest of the vineyard..
Click to expand...

What do you mean 'different geographical orientation'? I didn't do in-depth studies but my memories of the vineyard are that it was pretty much just one big wall of vines without all the curves and different expositions found in the Doctor, for example.[/quote]

A friend pointed out that sub-plot to me on a Mosel map. IIRC, it's at one end of the vineyard and does jut out in a different direction, thus the vines are also oriented differently. I looked for a map of the vineyard online and couldn't find one.
 
I wouldn't put too much stock in Daniel's stint chez Loosen. He was an apprentice then (meaning '98) and still learning; Berni Schug was the cellarmaster. Loosen did pick up some good land around that time, both near the house as well as in Wehlen.

If I remember correctly, this was when they started differentiating the Dr. L and Loosen operations more clearly, including diverting all purchased grapes to the former.

The best vintages for Loosen, in my limited experience, are '87 (especially when compared to the peers, save for Joh. Jos. Prm), '93 and '98 - I'm still working my way through the '02s which I like a lot as well. In '98, I thought the auction bottlings were amazing - EP and UW in particular.
 
originally posted by Larry Stein:
A friend pointed out that sub-plot to me on a Mosel map. IIRC, it's at one end of the vineyard and does jut out in a different direction..
Click to expand...

Ok, that might make sense.

Nice.
 
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