Eroica Riesling 2008
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Wine & Spirits
It seems as if Eroica gets more precise with each vintage. The joint venture between Ernst Loosen and Chateau Ste. Michelle produced a 2008 that's simply brilliant, its scents of Thai pineapple and passionfruit leading to limelike flavors hurried along by rippling acidity. There's tension between the brisk and creamy textures, a contrast of generosity and mineral edges. Pair it with wienerschnitzel.
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Connoisseurs' Guide
A collaborative effort between Chateau Ste. Michelle and the Mosel's Ernst Loosen, Eroica consistently ranks as one of the West Coast's finest Rieslings. As this latest version so aptly demonstrates, it is also very much deserving of patience. While it presently flirts with elements of Bartlett pears, peaches and a hint of lime zest, it is still a firm, tightly wound youngster that needs to unfold. Its exceptional balance ensures that any wait will be well worthwhile, and, while we would enjoy it right now with a scallop or two, we plan on setting some aside to be enjoyed as it fills out and opens up over the next several years. GOOD VALUE
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The white wines begin with the 2008 Eroica Riesling, a collaboration between Germany’s Ernst Loosen and Chateau Ste. Michelle. The grapes are sourced from a number of sites and several AVAs. Because of the winery’s vast holdings, this superb Riesling can be made in quantity (27,000 cases) while maintaining exceptional quality. Light straw-colored, it has a lovely, captivating perfume of acacia, honey, mineral, melon, and tropical aromas. Crisp, light- bodied (11.5% alcohol), concentrated, and vibrant, this just off-dry (1.77% RS), Kabinett-styled Riesling has the balance to evolve for several years and should drink well for a decade.
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Wine Spectator
This lively, refreshing wine has a delicately sweet edge to its pear and floral flavors, lingering effectively on the focused finish. Drink now through 2013.
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Launched in 1999, Eroica is a labor of love for two of the world's great Riesling producers. One from the Old World, Dr. Loosen estate of Germany, and the other from the New World, Chateau Ste. Michelle of Washington state. An intermingling of Old and New World philosophies and technique enables the crafting of an extraordinary Riesling from Washington state grapes. Named for Beethoven's Third Symphony, Eroica reflects not only its variety and site, but also its heritage: bold and forward from its Washington roots, elegant and refined from German inspiration.
The first five vintages of Eroica Riesling (1999-2003) were named to Wine Spectator's "Top 100" list.
"I have long believed that a Riesling revival would have to start with a prominent New World winery like Chateau Ste. Michelle."
- Ernst Loosen, Dr. Loosen estate
Riesling possesses a remarkable ability to reflect the character of wherever it is grown while still maintaining its identity. A regal variety of incredible purity and precision, this versatile grape can be just as enjoyable dry or sweet, young or old, still or sparkling and can age longer than nearly any other white variety. Somm Secret—Given how difficult it is to discern the level of sweetness in a Riesling from the label, here are some clues to find the dry ones. First, look for the world “trocken.” (“Halbtrocken” or “feinherb” mean off-dry.) Also a higher abv usually indicates a drier Riesling.
A large and geographically diverse AVA capable of producing a wide variety of wine styles, the Columbia Valley AVA is home to 99% of Washington state’s total vineyard area. A small section of the AVA even extends into northern Oregon!
Because of its size, it is necessarily divided into several distinctive sub-AVAs, including Walla Walla Valley and Yakima Valley—which are both further split into smaller, noteworthy appellations. A region this size will of course have varied microclimates, but on the whole it experiences extreme winters and long, hot, dry summers. Frost is a common risk during winter and spring. The towering Cascade mountain range creates a rain shadow, keeping the valley relatively rain-free throughout the entire year, necessitating irrigation from the Columbia River. The lack of humidity combined with sandy soils allows for vines to be grown on their own rootstock, as phylloxera is not a serious concern.
Red wines make up the majority of production in the Columbia Valley. Cabernet Sauvignon is the dominant variety here, where it produces wines with a pleasant balance of dark fruit and herbs. Wines made from Merlot are typically supple, with sweet red fruit and sometimes a hint of chocolate or mint. Syrah tends to be savory and Old-World-leaning, with a wide range of possible fruit flavors and plenty of spice. The most planted white varieties are Chardonnay and Riesling. These range in style from citrus and green apple dominant in cooler sites, to riper, fleshier wines with stone fruit flavors coming from the warmer vineyards.