2003 Weingut Josef Leitz Rudesheimer Magdalenenkreuz Riesling Spatlese (Rheingau)
Laura and I were visiting with Johannes Leitz in Rudesheim the day this was picked. We ferried vineyard workers in our rental car, and a photo of a worker loading grapes into a bin that I took that day graced the Terry Theise catalog for a couple of years. So it makes sense that this wine, despite its less than regal origins, is very special to me. I first tasted it in late 2004 & immediately bought a case, as it brought back memories of a bright, sunny & crisp (the 2003 heat had passed by then) day & a great time with a fantastic vintner who is also a really fun guy.
Numerous discussion of the merits (or lack thereof) of the 2003s sent me looking for a bottle in the glacial cellar. One sip & I was back in Rudesheim, and also back on the day when I first tasted the wine. It has barely changed. The fruit is still completely primary, the acidity fresh and zingy, and the overall balance classic German Riesling. I don't know how he did it, but this little wine outclasses most 2003s I have tasted over the last 5 years. It did on release, and it still does now.
