2011 Poet's Leap Riesling

2011 POET'S LEAP - 93 POINTS

"Sinewy and elegant, with a tangy citrus scent and a hint of peppercorn, this feels finely knit and pure. The flavors lengthen after a day open and bring to bear a juicy, mouthwatering briskness, with a minerality that suggests a long, thrilling life in the cellar."

2011 POET'S LEAP - 92 POINTS, EDITORS CHOICE

"This shows lively acidity, with ripe but tart fruit and an alcohol level just slightly above 12%. The grapes used were sourced from the Benches (German clones) and old vine plantings at Dionysus. It's a lush Poet's Leap, lightly tasting of honey, and loaded with pretty flavors of Meyer lemon, ripe orange, and candied pineapple."

2011 POET'S LEAP - 91 POINTS

"Incisive in it's keen Riesling focus and bristling with bright, fruity acids.  It has all the pieces in place to develop impressively with age."

The 2011 Poet’s Leap Riesling brings together a variety of unique Columbia Valley growing regions, each contributing distinct vineyard characteristics to create a layered, finished wine.  Long Shadows’ own Sonnet Vineyard at The Benches (40%) forms the basis for the blend.  Planted in 2004 with German clones in close consultation with managing partner Armin Diel, Sonnet gives the wine its minerality and a flinty character.  Yakima Valley’s Phil Church Vineyard (26%) adds a hint of citrus and liveliness, and finally, equal parts Weinbau Vineyard and old-vine Dionysus Vineyard Riesling contribute delightful ripe peach aromas and flavors and luscious complexity.

 
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.