Our German Portfolio Shines in Wine Spectator – Loosen Bros. USA Monthly Newsletter

All of our German producers received some stellar reviews in the June 2024 issue of Wine Spectator – with more to come when the full German report is published later this year. Notable mentions include wines featured in the “Savvy Shopper” column, recognizing exceptional wines that exceed expectations. Discover the outstanding wines from the 2022 vintage while anticipating the release of the 2023 vintage in this month’s newsletter.

 

Mosel Valley Producers

Dr. Loosen

Dr. Loosen is one of the most highly acclaimed wine estates in the world. In the family for over 200 years, Ernst “Erni” Loosen assumed ownership in 1988 and quickly propelled the reputation of Dr. Loosen into the highest echelon of Germany’s finest producers. With a focus on the old, undrafted vines the estate owns in some of the Mosel Valley’s best-rated vineyards, the wines clearly express their cool-climate origins through environmentally sensitive viticulture, strict harvest selection, and gentle cellar practices.

[91 points] 2022 Dr. Loosen Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Spätlese

“There’s a spicy edge to this Spätlese, with ground ginger, lanoline and citrus zest flavors invigorating a ripe base of apricot and juicy melon. Flint and wet stone notes bring a cooling mineral feel, with good acidity powering the tingling finish.”

[90 points – Savvy Shopper] 2022 Dr. Loosen Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett

[90 points] 2022 Dr. Loosen Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese

[89 points] 2022 Dr. Loosen Blue Slate Riesling Kabinett

[Savvy Shopper] 2022 Dr. Loosen Red Slate Riesling Dry

 

Fritz Haag

The Fritz Haag estate is a historic family winery that dates back to 1605. The Haag family farms 29 hectares (72.5 acres) of vineyards in the heart of the Mosel Valley. They produce only Riesling, covering the full style spectrum, from dry to lusciously sweet. An intense “slate” character and a pronounced, fruity acidity give the wines their elegant sophistication and their great aging potential. The estate’s graceful, well-defined Rieslings are universally lauded as examples of the finest wines the Mosel region has to offer.

[92 points – Savvy Shopper] 2022 Fritz Haag Juffer Riesling Kabinett

“Juicy apple and apricot flavors are cut with the citrus zest and bitter-edged mineral notes, offsetting the sweetness nicely. A beam of racy acidity courses through, keeping this brisk, with a waft of smoke on the focused close.”

[92 points] 2022 Fritz Haag Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese

[92 points] 2022 Fritz Haag Juffer Riesling GG

[91 points] 2022 Fritz Haag Juffer Riesling Spätlese

[91 points] 2022 Fritz Haag Kestener Paulinshofberg Riesling GG

[90 points] 2022 Fritz Haag Juffer Riesling

[90 points] 2022 Fritz Haag Brauneberg Riesling Trocken “J”

[89 points] 2022 Fritz Haag Estate Riesling

[89 points] 2022 Fritz Haag Estate Riesling Trocken

 

Maximin Grünhaus

This historic estate dates back to the 7th century, when the vineyards and buildings were donated to the Benedictine order of St. Maximin. The monastery was privatized by Napoleon in the early 19th century. In 1882, it was purchased by an ancestor of Maximin von Schubert, who is the sixth generation of the family to own the estate. Work in the vineyards is done in close harmony with nature. Fertilization is organic, and no pesticides or herbicides are used. The wines ferment naturally in the deep, cool cellar, where they are matured in stainless steel tanks and neutral oak casks.

 

[92 points] 2022 Maximin Grünhaus Herrenberg Riesling Kabinett

“Distinctive and delicious, showing green apple, lychee and roasted agave flavors flecked with notes of chamomile, green herbs and white pepper. This white’s sweetness is well integrated on the densely packed palate through the creamy, lingering and energetic finish.”

[92 points] 2022 Maximin Grünhaus Abtsberg Riesling GG

[92 points] 2022 Maximin Grünhaus Herrenberg Riesling GG

[91 points] 2022 Maximin Grünhaus Abtsberg Riesling Superior

[90 points] 2022 Maximin Grünhaus Schloss Riesling

[89 points] 2022 Maximin Grünhaus MAXiMiN Riesling

 

Zilliken

Weingut Zilliken is one of the leading wine estates of the Saar region in Germany. Renowned for the steely precision of their Rieslings grown in the very cool climate and slate soils of the area, the Zilliken estate built its reputation with intense, yet delicate and nearly weightless Rieslings that “float like a butterfly.” The Zilliken family traces its wine-growing tradition back to 1742. Since then, their winemaking philosophy has always been to carefully preserve the potential that the wine carries within itself. Their greatest effort is in the vineyards, and their approach in the cellar is traditional and simple, with fermentation, clarification and maturation all happening naturally in old Fuder casks.

 

[90 points] 2022 Zilliken Rausch Riesling Kabinett

“An opulent, concentrated version, with silky texture to the flavors of apricot preserves, ripe peach and preserved citrus rind. A fresh burst of lemon and dried thyme provides nice contrast and vividness, along with a dusting of fleur de sel and slate notes, with tea tannins bring structure.”

[89 points] 2022 Zilliken Saarburg Riesling Kabinett

 

Rhine Valley Producers

Robert Weil

Founded in 1875, Weingut Robert Weil is one of the finest producers in the Rheingau region. Wilhelm Weil, the great-grandson of the estate’s founder, carries on the uncompromising, quality-oriented vineyard and cellar practices that have been the hallmark of this elite estate for four generations. The Rheingau is a small section of the Rhine River valley, near the city of Mainz. Notable for steep, south-facing slopes in a protected valley along a climate-moderating river, this legendary wine region has the ideal conditions for growing ripe, full-bodied Riesling.

 

[94 points] 2022 Robert Weil Kiedrich Gräfenberg Riesling Spätlese

“Simmering with a deep well of concentration, this is still tightly wound. Bitter lemon peel and green almond notes offset a luscious and attractive mix of peach, apricot and papaya flavors, with slightly grippy plum skin tannins that provide a solid frame. A whiff of smoke and crushed stone lines the finish. This is built for a long life in the cellar.”

[92 points] 2022 Robert Weil Kiedrich Gräfenberg Riesling GG

[91 points] 2022 Robert Weil Riesling Spätlese

[91 points] 2022 Robert Weil Kiedrich Turmberg Riesling Trocken

[90 points] 2022 Robert Weil Kiedricher Riesling Trocken

[89 points] 2022 Robert Weil Riesling Tradition

 

Wittmann

The Wittmann family has been growing grapes and producing wine in the small Rheinhessen village of Westhofen since 1663. Today, the estate cultivates 62 acres of vines in the rolling limestone hills found in the southern part of the region. Estate owner Philipp Wittmann’s driving goal is to produce balanced wines that have tension, depth and intensity, but are at the same time fresh and elegant. He has no doubt that this complex character can only be created in the vineyard, so attention to detail in viticulture is of primary importance.

 

[93 points] 2022 Wittmann Kirchspiel Riesling GG

“Compact and densely packed, offering a deep well of energy edged in bitter mineral notes. This shows intensity, with a slightly silky yet taut feel to the flavors of crunchy nectarine, smoke, chamomile, and herbs. A pickled ginger accent adds to the racy appeal. A few years in the cellar will bring harmony and approachability.”

[92 points] 2022 Wittmann Aulerde Riesling GG

[92 points] 2022 Wittmann Brunnenhäuschen Riesling GG

[90 points] 2022 Wittmann Weisser Burgunder

 

Villa Wolf

Founded in 1756, the Villa Wolf winery was a successful and highly regarded wine estate for more than two centuries. Ernst Loosen, owner of Dr. Loosen, took over the winery in 1996, launching a dramatic revival of the estate’s quality and reputation. The Villa Wolf varietal line-up features exceptionally affordable, classic Pfalz wines made from traditional grape varieties. The Pfalz (aka ‘Palatinate’) region is in the Rhine river valley in southwest Germany. Because it is one of the warmer and drier areas of cool-climate Germany, wine grapes do quite well here, where it is possible to achieve full ripeness in every vintage.

 

[89 points – Savvy Shopper] 2022 Villa Wolf Riesling Dry

“Displays floral elements, with fresh lilac and lifted jasmine perfume overlaying tasty white peach, lime zest and melon flavors. Creamy on the palate, with chalky mineral notes, this well-done version shows good presence and balance.”

[Savvy Shopper] 2022 Villa Wolf Pinot Gris

[Savvy Shopper] 2022 Villa Wolf Pinot Blanc