2015 Poet's Leap Riesling
Inspired by the great wines of Germany and winemaker Armin Diel, one of the most highly acclaimed Riesling producers and proprietor of the renowned Schlossgut Diel.
The 2015 vintage was another hot growing season that required extra care in the vineyard to preserve the Riesling's fresh, bright character. Building on the success of our canopy management program the last few vintages, we worked with growers throughout the season to encourage growth of the canes and outside foliage to protect against the sun while opening up the fruit zone for even maturation. Warm temperatures in the fall hastened ripening, but the Columbia Valley's cool autumn nights gave us fresh, ripe fruit with balanced natural acidity.
| Download Wine Notes |
| Vintage | 2015 |
| Varietal | Riesling |
| Varietal Composition | 100% Riesling |
| Appellation | Columbia Valley |
| Acid | .75 grams / 100 ml |
| PH | 3.1 |
| Residual Sugar | 1.23g / 100ml |
| Alcohol | 12.90% |
| Wine Style | White Wine |
| Volume | 750 ml |
2015 POET'S LEAP - 91 POINTS
"Taut, sharply focused and distinctive, with apricot, peach, Meyer lemon and slate elements that glide over an off-dry finish that doesn't quit."
2015 POET'S LEAP - 90 POINTS
"The terrific 2015 Riesling Poet's Leap has 1.2% residual sugar, which is barely noticeable. Juicy, vibrant notes of green apple, citrus and lychee all emerge from this medium-bodied, fresh, clean, deliciously refreshing white that will be incredibly versitile on the dinner table. It will also age gracefully for a decade or more."
2015 POET'S LEAP - 90 POINTS
"Very pale yellow, with a faint green tinge. Sexy orchard fruit and dried apricot aromas are lifted by ginger. A supple, spicy fruit bomb on the nose, conveying very good freshness and energy to its lemon, white peach and saline mineral flavors. Finishes classically dry and persistent, with dusty impression of minerality."
|
The 2015 Poet’s Leap Riesling brings together a varied collection of Columbia Valley vineyards. Roughly half of the blend is from German clones planted in the Horse Heaven Hills high above the Columbia River, selected to give this wine its distinct minerality. Yakima Valley's Phil Church Vineyard (15%) adds bright acidity. Sagemoor Farms Vineyards (21%) bring apricot and honey to the final blend, and Underwood Mountain (8%) in the Columbia Gorge enhances the wine's lively, assertive character.
Armin Diel, owner of Schlossgut Diel from Germany's Nahe region, came to Long Shadows in 2003 to make Poet's Leap Riesling. The partnership was born after Long Shadow's founder Allen Shoup and Armin discovered a shared belief in the notion that the U.S. was on the cusp of a Riesling renaissance. It was this idea that led Allen, then CEO of Chateau Ste. Michelle to establish Eroica, Chateau Ste. Michelle's joint venture with the Mosel's Dr. Ernst Loosen. At the same time, Diel was leading a Riesling renaissance of his own, serving as president of the VDP-Nahe, an association of area wine estates dedicated to high-quality Riesling production in Germany. And it was Dr. Loosen's friendship with Allen and Armin that brought the two together.
Since Poet's Leap's first vintage in 2003, Long Shadows' director of winemaking Gilles Nicault has collaborated with Armin on Poet's Leap's vineyard selection, fermentation and blending to establish a consistent style for the wine. In the fall of 2016, Gilles assumed total winemaking responsibility for Poet's Leap after Armin found it increasingly challenging to make the numerous trips overseas that the project required. Gilles remains committed to crafting the same style and quality of the wine the team originally envisioned.
