2002 Josef Leitz Rudesheimer Klosterlay Riesling Kabinett

[TheEngineer]

This Kabinett was rather on the sweeter end, not very dry at all. But then again, I like sweeter rieslings. Nice aroma, good balance and minerality. Great texture, sweet but very clean finish, very focused wine. Nose was typically riesling but with just a hint of a wet forest scent. Surprising to me. Nicely done and great value for the wine at just under $20.....

Makes me look forward to the bottles of the Spatlese that I also have which faired pretty good in last year's WS top 100.....which were also just under $20...how does he do this?

[This message has been edited by TheEngineer (edited 02-05-2005).]

[hotwine]

Josef Leitz may be getting his grapes from a state-owned property, Hessen Staatsweingut Rudesheim. The old Cistercian monastery (cloister or Kloster) there now houses Hesse's wine institute, a center for research and training in the Rheingau. I drove by it many times on the Rheinstrasse but never stopped for a tour.

[TheEngineer]

a ha! I've gots to get back out there...

Still a nice bottle.

[wondersofwine]

I have two bottles of the 2002 Leitz Magdalenkreuz Riesling Spatlese which I look forward to opening (maybe in warmer weather). I also like the basic Leitz Dragon Stone or Drachenstein Riesling which is sometimes available at under $15. Except for the big names like Donnhoff, Weil, Christoffel, and J.J. Prum, most German wine remains a bargain I think. Doesn't seem to have the popularity it deserves but that keeps the prices affordable for those that appreciate it.

[This message has been edited by wondersofwine (edited 02-07-2005).]