Leitz Rüdesheimer Berg Roseneck Spätlese is a German white wine made from 100% Riesling. The grapes come from the extremely steep field, Berg Roseneck, which has a slope of 62 degrees. From this field, Leitz makes a dry Grosses Gewächs wine called “Katerloch”, after the field’s original name, but here it is the Spätlese version, where the sweetness has been turned up significantly – of course in good balance with the acidity.
Colour: Straw gold.
Scent: Mango, passion fruit, lime peel and lychee. Plus a whiff of Riesling’s classic petroleum.
Tasting notes: In the taste, the tropical fruits are joined by mineral notes and again a little petroleum. Great balance between the great residual sweetness and a fresh acidity.
Serving suggestion: Enjoy it chilled, preferably with spicy dishes such as curries or pad thai.
Johannes Leitz took over the family winery from his father in 1999, having been in charge of the winemaking since 1985. Under Johannes’ ownership, Leitz has only gone one way – up! The quality has increased from good to world class and they have managed to expand the fields with some of the best parcels around the town of Rüdesheim.
The hillside west of and immediately around Rüdesheim is one of the most magical terroirs in the entire world for the production of wines from the Riesling grape – this is where some of the world’s greatest white wines are born. Here you will find, among others, the parcels Berg Schloβberg, Berg Rottland, Berg Roseneck and Berg Kaisersteinfels, all of which enjoy the highest possible classification and recognition in Germany’s hierarchy. Also worth mentioning is the monopoly field Rosengarten, located right in the middle of Rüdesheim. This old field of 1.22 hectares is divided into two plots, enclosed by old quartzite walls. From the field, you can almost throw a stone into the Rhine – if you can throw over the 1,000-year-old castle (one of the Rheingau’s oldest), which lies between one part of the field and the river. Pure Riesling stands on both pieces of land, and the land is classified as Grosse Lage.
Today Johannes’ son, Antonius, is an apprentice under his father. He has already shown tremendous talent and is undoubtedly the right person to carry on the family’s traditions.
