2014 Spreitzer Rosengarten Riesling Grosses Gewächs (Dry) Rheingau

The 2014 Oestricher Rosengarten Riesling trocken GG is clear, deep, fresh and mineral on the nose, displaying bright fruit and lemon flavors. Full-bodied, rich and very elegant, this is a mouthful of silky textured, powerful and juicy Riesling with a lot of tension, finesse and grip. The long finish is very salty, full of complexity and indicates a great aging potential. Again (like in 2013), this is Spreitzer's most fascinating Riesling of the vintage. (SR) (10/2015)

Now that the Spreitzers’ immaculately-tended riverside near-monopole is an officially recognized Einzellage, I suppose it was inevitable that they would want to make it the subject of a Grosses Gewächs, and fortunately that has worked out quite well in this instance. Succulent white peach and Crenshaw melon are imbued with pronounced peach kernel piquancy, bittersweet hickory nuttiness and hints of resin, all of which put me in mind of Rieslings from neighboring Hattenheim. There is a starchy sense to the mid-palate, underscored by earthy suggestions of raw turnip. Stony and alkaline notes pull the finish is an unexpectedly austere direction, though there is still persistent juiciness. (DS) (5/2016)

Quite perfumed nose, floral, and with a name like Rosengarten you may expect the gentle scent of rose blossom. Starts off seductively sweet on the tip of the tongue, less because of the actual residual sugar, more so because of the sweet insinuations of fruit and flowers. Peach and nectarine benefit from a nice sprinkling of spice, but before the taste becomes totally esoteric, dusty and stony nuances bring the palate back to earth with all its mineral implications. Grosses Gewächs with great complexity. 18/20 points. Drink to 2024. (MS) (9/2015)