2006 Poet's Leap Riesling
Inspired by the greatest wines of Germany and crafted by Armin Diel, proprietor of the renowned Schlossgut Diel.
Balanced and focused, the 2006 Poet's Leap is a fresh, inviting wine offering heady aromatics of ripe pear, melon and honey. Crisp and flavorful on the palate, the vibrant acidity is balanced by a delicate sweetness that lingers across a long, clean finish.
94 POINTS - WINE ENTHUSIAST
| Download Wine Notes |
| Vintage | 2006 |
| Varietal | Riesling |
| Varietal Composition | 100% Riesling |
| Appellation | Columbia Valley |
| Acid | 0.74g/100ml |
| PH | 3.15 |
| Aging | Drink now through 2016 |
| Residual Sugar | 1.41g/100ml |
| Alcohol | 12.90% |
| Wine Style | White Wine |
| Volume | 750 ml |
2006 POET'S LEAP - 94 POINTS
"Aromas and flavors of musky ripe peach, ginger, nutmeg and earth; reminded me of a Nahe riesling. Juicy, intensely flavored and just off-dry, offering a satisfying supple texture and very good length." |
The 2006 Poet’s Leap Riesling was sourced from an assortment of older vines in the Yakima Valley (71%) as well as Dionysus Vineyard (29%) north of the Tri-Cities. Dionysus is one of the oldest Riesling vineyards in the state, with vines planted in 1972 still bearing fruit.
Armin Diel is one of Germany’s most acclaimed Riesling producers. His family has owned the celebrated estate of Schlossgut Diel, in Burg Layen, in the Nahe River Valley since 1802. Involved in the estate from the early years of his childhood, Armin assumed management of the winery, a 12th century medieval castle and it’s prestigious vineyards, the best known being Goldloch (pebbles), and Pittermännchen (slate), in 1987. Ten years later, Armin acquired Burgberg (quartz), another outstanding vineyard on the eastern side of Goldloch. All three parcels have been classified on an official ground tax map with the highest possible ranking since 1901, giving them status comparable to a Burgundy Grand Cru.
Schlossgut Diel is internationally renowned for its white wines, predominately Rieslings, across a wide range of styles. The intense Goldloch wines are similar to the great Rheingau-Rieslings; the Pittermännchen Rieslings are more like the refined Middle Mosels; and the Burgberg is a brilliant source for great dry Rieslings. Schlossgut Diel is also highly regarded for its rare sweet Eisweins and Ausleses. The estate is a member of the prestigious “Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter” (VDP) which lists Germany's top 200 estates, and Armin has been president of the VDP-Nahe section since 1993.
Armin is also one of Germany’s leading wine writers (though he never comments on his own wines). He was co-editor of the German Gault Millau Wine Guide and writes frequently about French and German wines for various magazines.
Armin and his wife Monika live in Burg Layen and have two grown children. Their daughter, Caroline, is responsible for the winemaking at Schlossgut Diel. She is married and has three children. Their son, Victor, is responsible for Marketing and Sales of the estate, with a focus on export markets.
