Rating:
91
Stephan Reinhardt - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
"The 2015 Rüdesheimer Magdalenenkreuz Riesling Spätlese (AP #87 16) is pure and precise on the nose. Super ripe, but clear and healthy Riesling flavors, as well as some tropical fruit flavors (mainly pineapples), are displayed. On the palate, the wine is very lucid, piquant and intense, revealing a great precision and lovely concentration. The acidity is racy, but ripe and will perfectly integrate into the lush and fruity texture. Pure and salty in the finish, this is a Spätlese that can compete with the best from the Mosel. Great tension and finesse here. Highly recommended."
Product Description:
"Further east and upstream of the Klosterlay is the Magdalenenkreuz. Literally the name means “the cross of Mary Magdalene”, named after a red sandstone cross found here in the vineyard. The name was coined for Mary during the Middle Ages as a dedication to rid the town of the plague and has remained ever since. Here the soils are pure sandy loam similar to what is found in most of the upper Rheingau. However, the subsoil is quartzite which adds mineral definition to the wines. As is apparent, Leitz enjoys a vast range of both soils and topography in Rüdesheim, from which he works to find the best expression of riesling—dry to fruity. The fatter, sandy loam soils of Magdalenenkreuz are ideal for a ripe expression; the riesling grown here is always textured, opulent and forward. Though the wine is Spätlese quality it perceivably drinks more like a Kabinett. The exotic flair of this riesling is composed from the aroma of lemons and limes, slight mint echoes, as well as a touch of lychee, tarragon, banana, pear and pineapple." Importer