Loosen Bros. USA Wine Importer

Roots of the wine

The Dr. Loosen estate has been in the same family for over 200 years. When Ernst Loosen assumed ownership in 1988, he realized that with ungrafted vines averaging 60 years old in some of Germany’s best-rated vineyards, he had the raw materials to create stunningly intense, world-class wines. To achieve this, Ernst dramatically restricts crop size, prohibits chemical fertilization, insists on very strict fruit selection, and employs gentle cellar practices that allow the wine to develop its full potential with a minimum of handling.

Classified quality

All of Dr. Loosen’s six major vineyards were designated as “Erste Lage” — equivalent to grand cru — in the 1868 Prussian classification of Mosel vineyards. Only wines from these top-rated sites are bottled with a single-vineyard designation. All others are labeled simply as estate wines.

The Elements of Quality at Dr. Loosen

The regional climate

The Mosel’s steep, south-facing slopes create the perfect climate for Riesling, giving the vines ideal exposure to the low-lying, northern sun. Generally cool conditions allow the grapes to ripen slowly, while retaining bright acidity.

The slate soil

The Mosel’s stony soil and rocky outcroppings reflect sunlight and hold in heat, creating very warm microclimates in the best sites and helping to ensure excellent ripeness. Thin topsoil forces the vines to dig deep for water and nutrients, producing vibrant wines that capture the strong minerality of the soil.

Old, ungrafted vines

Dr. Loosen owns vines that are well over 120 years old, and all are on original rootstock (phylloxera can't survive in the Mosel, so ungrafted vines are allowed here). Old vines produce naturally lower yields, resulting in higher concentration and richness.

Accolades for Ernst Loosen

Man of the Year 2005, Decanter
White Wine Maker of the Year 2005, Wine International
World's 50 Most Influential Winemakers, Wine & Spirits
Germany's Winemaker of the Year 2001, Gault Millau

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Dr. L Riesling

Dr. Loosen’s non-estate wine embodies the elegant and racy style of classic Mosel Riesling. It is refreshing and fruity, with a fine mineral edge that is typical of the region. Dr. L Riesling is made with fruit that comes exclusively from traditional vineyards with steep slopes and slate soil. By working closely with local growers on long-term contract, brothers Ernst and Thomas Loosen are able to maintain excellent quality in every vintage. Dr. L Riesling is bottled with a screwcap to avoid cork problems and to preserve freshness.

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ESTATE WINES

Riesling Kabinett “Blue Slate”

This estate-grown Riesling Kabinett embodies the racy, mineral-driven style of the steep, blue slate vineyards in the middle Mosel. It’s a crisp and juicy Riesling that pairs well with spicy Asian cuisine. Wine & Spirits: 90 points.

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Riesling Eiswein

Picked and pressed during a natural freeze in December 2007, this vibrant, racy dessert wine conjures flavors of densely packed pear, apple and guava, with an intense, nervy edge in the aroma. It is luscious, silky and juicy on the palate, with bright acidity giving it a crisp, dynamic finish. Available in 375ml and 187ml bottles (the 187ml bottle is packaged in an attractive display tube).

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Riesling Beerenauslese

The 2006 Riesling Beerenauslese (“berry select”) “BA” is an intense, ultra-concentrated dessert wine made from grapes that have been shriveled by botrytis. Wine Spectator (93 points): “Gorgeous aromas of apricot, lime zest and freesia introduce this elegant dessert white. With its airy texture and weightlessness, it wears the sweetness and acidity effortlessly, with a very clean finish.”

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CLASSIFIED VINEYARDS AT DR. LOOSEN
Great First-Class (“grand cru”) Vineyards

Bernkasteler Lay (The Slate of Bernkastel)

Bernkasteler Lay (pronounced LIE) is situated between the Dr. Loosen estate house and the village of Bernkastel. The soil is predominantly slate, but is heavier and deeper than in the neighboring villages of Wehlen and Graach. This site also has a slightly gentler slope than the estate’s other vineyards. It produces richly textured, assertive wines.

Riesling Kabinett | info sheet | shelf talker | ^ back to top |

Graacher Himmelreich (The Kingdom of Heaven)

Graach is a small village that lies between two more-famous neighbors: Bernkastel and Wehlen. This vineyard’s steep, southwest-facing slopes and deep soils produce wines that combine the elegance of Wehlen with the rustic strength of Bernkastel. Because of the forceful minerality from the abundant blue slate in the soil, wines from Graach have excellent aging potential.

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Wehlener Sonnenuhr (The Sundial of Wehlen)

This precipitously steep and rocky vineyard (VAY-len-er ZON-en-ooer) yields some of the most elegant and sophisticated white wines in the world. The classic blue slate soil gives the wine a delicate, crisp acidity that perfectly balances the pure peach and lemon fruit. It’s a charming wine that dances gracefully on the palate.

Erdener Treppchen (The Little Staircase of Erden)

This vineyard is so steep that, long ago, stone steps were built into the hillside to help workers reach the vines. The iron-infused, red slate soil produces wines that are muscular and complex, with an intense mineral finish. Wines from Erdener Treppchen are more like a powerful, hard-body rock climber than the graceful ballet dancer of Wehlener.

Ürziger Würzgarten (The Spice Garden of Ürzig)

Blazing red and insanely steep, the Ürziger Würzgarten (ERTS-ih-ger VERTS-gar-ten) vineyard fills the picturesque amphitheater formed by this dramatic bend in the river. It produces wines with exotic, spicy aromas that are bursting with tropical fruit flavors. The estate’s oldest vines are found here.

Erdener Prälat (The Bishop of Erden)

A small slice of perfection, the four-acre Erdener Prälat (AIR-din-er PRAY-laht) produces some of the greatest wines in the Mosel valley. It has 100 percent south-facing red slate soil and an extraordinarily warm microclimate, yielding wines of unequaled power and nobility. The vineyard’s exposure, combined with the warming effect of the river and the massive, heat-retaining cliffs that surround it, ensures exceptional ripeness in every vintage.

Info sheets and shelf talkers for this wine are currently in production. If you need materials urgently, please e-mail us or download our Estate Info Sheet.