Since I had to remove wine from my food plan for a few days, I chose to start with a low alcohol drink today. Therefore, I went for a 2003 Riesling Spätlese Uerziger Wuerzgarten from Mosel winemaker Ernie Loosen.
The Wuerzgarten (Garden of Spices) site is interesting because it exhibits a different soil composition than the Sonnenuhr or Treppchen sites.
The Wuerzgarten consists of weathered, slatey volcanic rock. The high proportion of iron gives the soil its characteristic red colour and produces Rieslings with a particularly spicy, exotic character that needs a little longer to develop fully.
2003 is perfect for drinking now. The warm vintage has given it a dense and ripe fruit, but the precise acidity backs up the wine superbly.
Dried peach, candied mango, honey and caramel dominate the nose. Mirabelle plums, ginger and meadow herbs join in on the palate. Very long and intense. With oxygen, the wine even increases. Maximum pleasure at only 8.5% alcohol. Fortunately, I still have two more bottles in my cellar. Well done, Ernie!!
