Mosel

2010 Dr Loosen Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Kabinett

"Blazing red and insanely steep, the Ürziger Würzgarten (ERTS-ih-ger VERTS-gar-ten) vineyard fills the picturesque amphitheater formed by this dramatic bend in the river. Although it’s directly adjacent to the vineyards of Erden, it produces a completely different kind of wine, with exotic, spicy aromas and a mesmerizing earthiness. No other vineyard on the Mosel produces wines so bursting with tropical fruit flavors. The estate’s oldest vines are found here"

2006 Willi Schaefer Graacher Himmelreich Beerenauslese

2010 Dr Loosen Erdner Treppchen Auslese

Long ago, stone steps were built into this vineyard's steep hillside to help workers reach the vines. The iron-infused, red slate soil produces wines that are muscular and complex, with an intense mineral finish. Wines from Erdener Treppchen are more like a powerful, hard-body rock climber than the graceful ballet dancer of Wehlener Sonnenuhr. They benefit greatly from a few years in the bottle to develop fully.

2008 Dr.Loosen Riesling Eiswein ( 187ml )

A great way to try one of worlds truely outstanding riesling- remember its only 187ml." Loosen’s generic 2008 Riesling Eiswein prickles with radish and lemon peel on the nose as well as its very sweet, honeyed palate. So low in alcohol it is barely legally wine, this displays a striking sense of near-weightlessness and an impression of lemon meringue glazed with quince preserves that persists with accompanying sharp impingement that is undeniably invigorating if a tad unruly. I would plan on drinking this over the next 3-5 years. It offers an excellent introduction to a genre ordinarily unapproachably expensive for most wine lovers, and its strong sense of both sweetness and acidity should render it interesting for accompanying certain desserts." 90/100 Parker

2007 Dr Loosen Erdner Pralat Auslese

Unquestionably the estate's greatest vineyard, Erdener Pralat combines perfece exposure, red slate soil and an extraordinarily warm microclimate to produce wines of power and nobility. The vineyard's position between the river and massive cliffs results in exceptional ripeness, making Spatlese and Auslese wines possible in almost every vintage. "Pale golden yellow. Baked apple, sweet herbs and quince jelly on the nose. Extremely elegant and airy in spite of its density, with pineapple fruit giving way to cinnamon and slate. Fine, spicy finish."91/100 Tanzer

2010 Dr Loosen Erdner Treppchen Kabinett

A volcanic rock vineyard where long ago, stone steps were built into this vineyard's steep hillside to help workers reach the vines. The iron-infused, red slate soil produces wines that are muscular and complex, with an intense mineral finish.

2009 Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Troken ( Dry )

"Despite slightly higher (12.5%) alcohol than its “village” counterpart, the Fritz Haag 2009 Brauneberger Juffer RieslingTtrocken displays greater lift and vivacity. “This is from low yielding, Auslese-like fruit, with strength – really a little Grosses Gewachs,” says Oliver Haag, “but at the same time I try to retain minerality and filigree as well as lively acidity.” It was picked a bit earlier and also came off of its lees just a bit ahead of the corresponding Sonnenuhr Grosses Gewachs. Lemon and orange rind, white currant, as well as fusil suggestions of crushed stone make for a pungent aromatic display that foreshadows the wine’s piquantly-, tartly-concentrated, firmly-textured, seemingly stone-lined palate impression. Nut oils and bitter hints of fruit pit further contribute low-toned notes to a finish which however refreshes with persistently lip-smacking, saliva-inducing ripe citrus, white currant, and peach. This is as enticing as it is formidable and ought to perform well for 6-8 years." 90/100 Parker

2009 Fritz Haag Brauneberger Riesling Auslese Goldkap

The Haags’ 2009 Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Auslese Gold Capsule A.P. #9 – from the same parcel as the #6 – suggests candied apple and white peach preserves threaded with blood orange, tangerine, vanilla, honey, and malt. A palpable sense of extract, seductively silken texture, and lilting buoyancy make for a memorably diverse and dynamic display that leads to a gloriously long, pure, subtly ennobled, honeyed, yet enervating finish. I would anticipate 30 or more years of high performance.

Oliver Haag picked from just before mid-October until November 10, and the resulting collection is most notable for stunning quality in its nobly sweet echelons, although the volume of each bottling is small (typically the equivalent of 200-300 full bottles) due to paucity of botrytis. - 95/100 David Schildknecht

2009 Fritz Haag Brauneber Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese

"Pink grapefruit, banana, mango, and quince are tinged with caramel but at the same time laced with sufficient sense of fresh citrus to convey an element of refreshment and vivacity even on a silken-textured, lushly-rich palate, and extending into a satisfyingly long finish. This effusive entry won’t make one forget its remarkable 2008 counterpart, but it should be worth following for 15-20 years, and eventually might well show more clarity and complexity. "91/100 Tanzer

2010 Dr Loosen Urzinger Wurzgarten Riesling Auslese

"Profuse honeysuckle on the nose. Sweet, creamy, strawberry- and melon liqueur-informed palate so delicate it takes on the irresistible aspect of chiffon, yet with enormous richness, persistent liquid floral perfume, wet stone and salted caramel soothing and seducing. This ought to merit 10-20 years of revisits."