2023 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.
A wet, cool spring delayed bud break and bloom in 2017. Temperatures moderated in early summer, however, then warmed in July and August to drive heat accumulation a bit above average for the season, despite the late start. Harvest began towards the end of August, but then temperatures cooled considerably in mid-September to extend hang time and allow the grapes to reach full physiological maturity without spiking sugars. The resulting wines show excellent acidity and reflect the quality of the vintage across the board.
| Vintage | 2023 |
| Varietal | Riesling |
| Varietal Composition | 100% Riesling |
| Appellation | Columbia Valley |
| Acid | .83 grams / 100 ml |
| PH | 3.02 |
| Residual Sugar | 1.05g / 100ml |
| Alcohol | 12.20% |
| Wine Style | White Wine |
| Volume | 750 ml |
2017 POET'S LEAP - 91 POINTS
"Generous aromas of lime leaf, citrus, wet slate and white peach lead to off-dry stone fruit and citrus flavors that stretch out on the palate. It brings a beautiful sense of acid balance with an impressively long finish." - Editors' Choice
The 2017 Poet’s Leap Riesling brings together an outstanding collection of the Columbia Valley’s best Riesling vineyards. Just over half the blend is from German clones planted for Poet’s Leap at The Benches in the Horse Heaven Hills to give the wine its distinct minerality. Yakima Valley’s Phil Church Vineyard adds liveliness. Vines planted in 1972 at Dionysus combine with Weinbau Riesling to contribute peach and honey aromas and flavors to the blend, and grapes from Underwood Mountain in the Columbia Gorge add complexity and bright, vibrant acidity.
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.
