2022 Dr Loosen Bernkasteler Lay Riesling Kabinett

Dr Loosen Bernkasteler Lay (pronounced LIE; an old dialect word for ‘slate’) Riesling Kabinett is grown around the Dr. Loosen estate house, directly along the Mosel, just outside the village of Bernkastel. As the name indicates, the soil is predominantly blue slate, but it is heavier and deeper than the soil in the neighbouring villages of Wehlen or Graach. This site has a gentler slope than the estate’s other vineyards. It produces richly textured, assertive wines. The grapes comes from vines with an average age of 60 years old, grown on blue Devonian slate. It’s farmed sustainably, according to strict German environmental regulations. Cool fermentation in a combination of stainless steel tanks and Fuder barrels, half fermented with natural yeasts, half with cultured yeasts.

Erni Loosen plays with acidity so well, and these wines are a perfect example of his knowledge and skill. The wine is gentle yet alive with minerality. Green apples, fresh mint and lemons shine through, along with layers of clementines, peaches, honey’d pear rounded off with some saltiness.