2007 Urziger Wurzgarten Kabinett
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The apple- and kiwi-dominated Loosen 2007 Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Kabinett offers another exhibit of amazing delicacy and well-balanced sweetness. For all of its refreshment, this also displays a flattering creaminess of texture. Subtly saline and brown spice notes add to the stimulation of a lusciously fruit-filled finish. One should be able to enjoy this for close to a decade. Despite slightly disappointing dry wines, and Kabinetts and nobly sweet wines that do not reach the heights established in those genres by this estate’s 2005s and 2006s respectively, Ernst Loosen and his cellar-master Bernard Schug have nonetheless scored considerable success in 2007, a vintage they describe as temperamentally between 2005 and 2004. As regards style and success rate, the comparison with 2004 seems about right to me. Harvest began already in the first week of October, but as usual at this address with its enormous acreage of top-notch vineyards, the early phase was taken up principally with highly selective picking for nobly sweet wine. “From the first day to the last,” comments Loosen, “each picker gets two tubs” for separating qualities of fruit. “And there were shriveled, TBA-quality grapes already on the first day this year,” adds Schug. Importer: Loosen Brothers, Portland, OR tel. (510) 864-7255
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Jancis Robinson MW
David Schildknecht, Wine Advocate
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SC 100% Riesling grapes from Loosen's own vineyards. The vines are planted on very steep, south to south-west facing slopes with weathered, red volcanic soil. They are 10-80 years old, and are planted on their own rootstocks, as it is too dry for phylloxera, at a density of 6,000-10,000 vines/ha. Traditional single Mosel pruning system, as well as adjustable wire system with the newer planted vineyards. Hand-harvested at 50-70hl/ha mid-late-Oct. Gently pressed in tank presses, and fermented with ambient and selected yeast, in temperature controlled barrel and stainless steel tanks. Fined with Kieselguhr. Bottled 20th March 2008. Suitable for vegetarians. Winemaker Ernst F. Loosen. Quite a bit of sulphur and proper fruity sweetness. Gentle on the palate and lots of easy fun. Some spice and interest and still slightly too astringent and sulphurous to drink quite yet. (JR)