VERY LIMITED
96 Points Jeb Dunnuck
This energetic and fully dry Riesling is made in the same way as the Dr. Loosen Grosses Gewächs (“Great Growth”) Rieslings are produced in Germany and was raised in a 3000-liter oak cask. The 2017 Riesling GG Chehalem Mountains offers a pale straw hue and is forward and expressive with aromas of flint, ripe apricot, petrol, and wild herbs. Medium-bodied, it offers a fantastic, rich core of concentration along with a mineral, soft, stony texture and a long finish. If opening now, it will do well to decant this serious style of white. It’s certainly another age-worthy wine from Ernst Loosen. Drink 2025-2045.
94 Points Wine Enthusiast
This GG rested on its lees for a year after fermentation. Then, the wine debuted four years later—it was worth the wait. Apricot and Stargazer lily aromas are followed by flavors of lemon, marzipan and wet slate. The wine's acidity is invigorating. (Editors’ Choice)
93 Points Decanter
If you prefer a thinking person's wine you'll run out of superlatives to describe this Riesling from Dr Loosen's Oregon project with J Christopher Wines. From a personal favourite, the old vines of the Medici Vineyard, the winemaking shows serious patience and determination. Fermented in a 3,000-liter, neutral oak German Fuder cask. It rests on the full lees for two years and is then held in bottle for three to five years before release. Aged, savoury and delicious. Aromas are savoury and saline. Lanolin, dandelion, seafoam, and beeswax with hints of fresh herbs and dried lemon peel. The palate is brilliant, savoury and bright and complex. Energetic flavours of wet slate, savoury bee pollen, white tea and lanolin notes. The finish offers crushed stone vibrancy.
90 Points Wine Spectator
Shows distinction and nuance, with a luscious, oily texture and expressive honeydew, spiced nut and orange blossom accents that glide on a crisp finish. Drink now. 280 cases made.
Winemaker Note
Inspired by the historical winemaking techniques of Erni Loosen’s great-grandfather, the Appassionata Riesling GG is made in the same way as the Dr. Loosen Grosses Gewächs (“Great Growth”) Rieslings he produces in Germany. The GG designation indicates a dry-style wine from a vineyard of special distinction — in this case, the old-vine Medici vineyard, planted in 1976. We farm this exceptional site, which is just a few miles east on the Chehalem Mountain ridge. The wine is fermented in a 3,000-liter, neutral oak German Fuder cask. It rests on the full lees for two years, and is then held in bottle for three to five years before release.
