Eroica Riesling 2013
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Wine & Spirits
Eroica in 2013 is deliciously precise, marked by a green apple freshness that isn't just a flavor; it's a feeling. Apple informs its lifted scent, its purity of flavor and also its driving energetic movement. The textures draw to a close through the lens of citrus, lemon and lemon pith, a drawstring of focus and detail. A great aperitif, it would pair beautifully with lemon risotto as well.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
Over the last decade, the name Eroica has become synonymous with excellent Rieslings. The 2013 Chateau Ste Michelle & Dr. Loosen Eroica, which is a bit drier than earlier versions, shows precise flavors of the grape—ripe apples, fresh citrus, and mineral accents. The wine's crisp finish, with just a hint of sugar, makes it an ideal match with simply prepared seafood entrées as well as an aperitif on the deck before dinner. Drinks well now. (Tasted: October 10, 2016, San Francisco, CA)
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Connoisseurs' Guide
Year in and year out, this collaborative effort from Chateau St. Michelle and Ernst Loosen stands as one of the best West Coast Rieslings to be had, and the 2013 version lives up to every expectation. It is vibrant young stuff with stunning varietal precision and a sense of depth that belies its lighter step, and, if bristling with the kind of fruity acidity that only Riesling can achieve, it shows remarkable polish and keen crafting. Patient cellaring is certain to bring further rewards, but whether drunk up in haste or allowed to grow to its best, it is for us the model by which American Rieslings must be measured.
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Tasting Panel
Juicy and crisp with elegant acidity and lovely fresh fruit; lively and lush.
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Wine Spectator
Bright and generous, with hints of apricot and peach adding depth to the pear and mineral flavors, lingering easily on the light frame and lively, off-dry finish. Drink now through 2018. Top Value Pick
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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.