2007 Poet's Leap Riesling
Inspired by the greatest wines of Germany and crafted by Armin Diel, proprietor of the renowned Schlossgut Diel.
Bright and balanced, the 2007 Poet's Leap is a clean, refreshing wine with aromas and flavor showcasing the purity of the grape. White peaches, honey, an appealing mineral note, and a hint of ripe apricot are enhanced by the wine's crisp acidity and fresh, lively finish.
94 POINTS - WINE ENTHUSIAST
| Download Wine Notes |
| Vintage | 2007 |
| Varietal | Riesling |
| Varietal Composition | 100% Riesling |
| Appellation | Columbia Valley |
| Acid | 0.73g/100ml |
| PH | 3.06 |
| Aging | Drink now through 2014 |
| Residual Sugar | 1.28g/100ml |
| Alcohol | 12.90% |
| Wine Style | White Wine |
| Volume | 750 ml |
2007 POET'S LEAP - 94 POINTS - EDITOR'S CHOICE
"Loaded with honeysuckle, melon, pear, peach and hints of sweet grapefruit, this juicy wine perfectly captures the intensity of Washington Rieslings and the complexity of German wines." |
2007 POET'S LEAP - 92 POINTS
"The 2007, with estimable vineyard sources that include Wallula, Weinbau and Dionysus, is ripe and tropical, leading with peach accents and a wheaty scent of lees. The flavors are exuberant and fresh, the textures voluptuous, held to a lean contour by a firm, talc-like minerality that calls to mind Diel's home turf." |
2007 POET'S LEAP - 91 POINTS
"Medium straw-colored with a greenish tint, it offers aromas of fresh apples, honey, and spring flowers. This splendidly balanced wine has lively acidity, crisp spicy flavors, and excellent length." |
The 2007 Poet’s Leap Riesling is a blend of several distinct Columbia Valley growing regions, each contributing unique characteristics to the wine. Yakima Valley vineyards (32%) bring layers of citrus and a hint of flint. Old vine Riesling, planted in 1972 at Dionysus Vineyard north of the Tri-Cities (32%), adds honey, crisp apple and juicy stone fruits. The Benches (formerly Wallula Vineyard) block named Sonnet in the Horse Heaven Hills (19%) planted with three German clones selected by Long Shadows’ partner Armin Diel contributes layers of complexity and traditional German mineral character. Weinbau Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope (17%) adds a layer of white peach and dried apricot.
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.
