2008 Poet's Leap Riesling
Inspired by the greatest wines of Germany and crafted by Armin Diel, proprietor of the renowned Schlossgut Diel.
Freshly peeled grapefruit, an appealing minerality, and a hint of ripe pear define the 2008 Poet's Leap. Bright acidity gives the wine its vibrancy and a clean, underlying touch of sweetness contributes to a lengthy finish.
94 POINTS - WINE ENTHUSIAST
TOP 100 WINES OF 2009 (#8)
| Download Wine Notes |
| Vintage | 2008 |
| Varietal | Riesling |
| Varietal Composition | 100% Riesling |
| Appellation | Columbia Valley |
| Acid | 0.80g/100ml |
| PH | 3.08 |
| Aging | Drink now through 2020 |
| Residual Sugar | 1.43g/100ml |
| Alcohol | 12.90% |
| Wine Style | White Wine |
| Volume | 750 ml |
2008 POET'S LEAP - 94 POINTS
“The Poet’s Leap Riesling continues its string of outstanding vintages, once again exceptionally concentrated and complex. The high-acid 2008 vintage adds extra juicy vibrancy to the fruit, giving the wine an impression of dryness and dense, layered fruit component. A mix of old vine and German clones, this is a superb effort.” Editor's Choice, #8 ranking in their "Top 100 Wines of 2009"
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2008 POET'S LEAP - 92 POINTS
“Poet’s Leap is the Long Shadows riesling project with German producer Armin Diel; it hails from multiple vineyard sources in 2008, including Wallula's biodynamic blocks. The style is plush, with citrus accents and hints of lees, and a texture that feels broad and immensely satisfying. The balance never falters, as if on guide wires; it's fine, poised for grilled char."
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2008 POET'S LEAP - 92 POINTS
“Riesling floweriness and Fuji apple prettiness are on display from the very first sniff. Acidity keeps the wine somewhat sleek, crisp and lively on the palate, and while it could work as a stand-alone aperitif drink for those who like the minerally side of the grape, it has the depth and inner structure to be happy alongside dishes like sautéed sea scallops wrapped in a piece of smoky bacon.”
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2008 POET'S LEAP - 91 POINTS
“Medium straw-colored with a greenish tint, it offers up a fragrant nose of mineral, spring flowers, citrus, and apple blossom.. Vibrant on the palate with outstanding concentration, it is just off-dry in a Kabinett style. It should evolve for several years and drink well for a decade."
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2008 POET'S LEAP - 90 POINTS
“Very pale yellow. Subtle, complex aromas of ginger, quinine, white peach and brown spices. Dense, fat and moderately sweet but with strong acidity refreshing and firming the white peach flavor. Finishes juicy, lively and long. Very tasty riesling."
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2008 POET'S LEAP - 91 POINTS
“Incredibly fresh nose and clearly the best offering yet from German Armin Diel. Pear and citrus rind notes mark the nose while the flavors are a mix of candied grapefruit and lemon streaked with more floral mineral notes. There is a touch of fatness in the mid-palate but the finish is fresh and long. Try this with your favourite Thai dishes."
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The 2008 Poet's Leap Riesling is a blend of several distinct Columbia Valley growing regions, each contributing unique characteristics to the wine. From the Horse Heaven Hills, Armin selects fruit from an assortment of The Benches blocks (formerly Wallula Vineyard), including a biodynamically-farmed section of the vineyard. Grapes from Long Shadows’ own “Sonnet” Vineyard, planted with German clones as specified by Armin, impart minerality, a vibrant mouthfeel and a hint of sweetness. Old vine Riesling, planted in 1972 at Dionysus Vineyard north of the Tri-Cities, provides ripe pear flavors and texture to the wine, while grapes from Yakima Valley’s cooler vineyards contribute acidity and balance.
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.
