Lauer’s rare GGs are among the most coveted dry Rieslings out there.
Although just released, they will disappear quickly.
On the off chance that you haven’t heard of Florian Lauer or the miracles he’s working in Germany’s Saar Valley, there are few more profound introductions to what Grand Cru dry Rieslings can be. Forget the Riesling part if you want, these are wines that will speak to all fans of the great white wines of the world, from Chablis and white Burgundy to the Loire and beyond.
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Now consider the Riesling part, because the grape is one of the most sensitive to the variances of terroir. Today we present two rival terroirs, sites that stare at each other across the Saar river, presenting wildly different expressions of dry Saar Riesling: Kupp and Saarfeilser.
The Kupp is Lauer’s most famous vineyard and one of the great sites of the Saar. Sourced from the best parcels in the vineyard, the Kupp GG is one of the most complete wines of the Saar. It is floral and airy, with a dazzling array of stone fruit, layer after layer of detail firmly defined by a laser-beam of slate-imbued minerality.
The Saarfeilser is one of the most unique sites in the Saar, hugging the river and benefitting from this microclimate and complex slate and alluvial soil. The Saarfeilser GG reflects this site with a jaw-dropping textural density and driving momentum. Think Grand Cru White Burgundy with a lightning bolt of acidity.
The subtle differences in terroir are even more pronounced in 2014, a purist’s vintage that flaunts beautiful ripeness matched to lower alcohols and more classically proportioned wines. Those who read the one-liner of the vintage ("a difficult harvest") and opted out are going to miss some profound wines that scream of the true beauty of viticulture at such northern latitudes.
The growers with steep sites and old vines (like Lauer) faired very well, and while the production dropped drastically, the wine quality soared.
To order, please email us at offers@crushwineco.com or call the store at (212) 980-9463.
Joe Salamone
Wine Buyer
Crush Wine & Spirits
Lauer GGs