This wine is within the Erst Loosen portfolio of wines and was inspired by his great-grandfather’s winemaking techniques in Germany. It heralds from a few miles east on the Chehalem Mountain ridge in Oregon and is crafted in an identical fashion as Loosen’s dry-styled Grosses Gewächs (“Great Growth”) from Germany. Planted in 1976, the grapes are sourced from the old-vine Medici vineyard.

The wine undergoes natural yeast fermentation in a neutral 3,000-liter oak cask and then matured on the lees for 12 months. This wine is a true intellectual exercise into understanding the mature complexities of a Grosses Gewächs styled wine. It also underscores the abundance of talent behind Dr. Loosen and his wines.

This gem is crystalline in appearance with a perfumed nose of white lilies and stone fruits. The wine is wonderfully complex and elegantly dry in style with undertones of star fruits, spiced pears, white tangerine, bee pollen and candied citron. It is mouthwatering and juicy with a hint of salinity and freshness in the background. The wine is impressive and focused through the long and memorable finish. A well-crafted wine and a great effort by the Loosen team.

By W Peter Hoyne