2005 Poet's Leap Riesling

2005 POET'S LEAP - 93 POINTS

"Old-vine Riesling from Dionysus and Weinbau form the core of the wine, which is immaculate, rich and generous. The fruits sound like a country fair in summer - melon, stone fruits, citrus, honey - and the mix of residual sugar and racy acids is thrillingly on target." Editors' Choice, #19 ranking in their "Top 100 Wines of 2009"

2005 POET'S LEAP - 91 POINTS "This splendid Riesling is light straw-colored with green highlights. It delivers a complex perfume of slate, mineral, a hint of petrol, spring flowers, honey, and green apple."

2005 POET'S LEAP - 92 POINTS "This bottling almost resembles Pinot Gris at first pass, its wheaty scents mingling with a heady aroma of white peach: those peach flavors explode on the palate, a seductive intensity that’s held in check with a thrilling line of acidity."

The 2005 Poet’s Leap is a blend of several distinct Columbia Valley vineyards, linked by the maturity of their vines (20+ years) but distinguished by their unique terroir. Primary vineyard sources for these hand-harvested grapes include fruit from Dionysus Vineyard north of the Tri-Cities, planted in 1972 and Weinbau Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope, planted in 1982.

 
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.