Eroica Riesling 2009
-
Enthusiast
Wine -
Spirits
Wine & -
Spectator
Wine
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
Wine Enthusiast
This wine just gets better with every new vintage. Young and fresh, it hits the palate with lip-puckering acidity, rolling on flavors of lemons, oranges, citrus rind, and then into mango and papaya. Though the residual sugar is listed at 1.6%, it shows only in a pleasing roundness in the lengthy finish. Delicious now, but entirely cellar-worthy for a decade or longer.
-
Wine & Spirits
Pretty, bright, clean and harmonious, this young riesling suggests herb and lemon in its scent, with freshness and drive propelling the wine across the palate. It's composed, if a little linear at the moment. No question it will fill out in the cellar; then serve with veal loin.
-
Wine Spectator
Light and tart, the acidity balanced against gentle sweetness as the tangy grapefruit and apple flavors linger beautifully. Drink now through 2019.
Other Vintages
2022-
Enthusiast
Wine -
Spectator
Wine
-
Spectator
Wine
-
Dunnuck
Jeb -
Spirits
Wine & -
Spectator
Wine
-
Enthusiast
Wine -
Spirits
Wine & -
Dunnuck
Jeb -
Spectator
Wine
-
Spectator
Wine -
Enthusiast
Wine -
Parker
Robert -
Suckling
James
-
Spirits
Wine & -
Dunnuck
Jeb -
Enthusiast
Wine -
Parker
Robert -
Suckling
James
-
Dunnuck
Jeb -
Spirits
Wine & -
Suckling
James -
Parker
Robert -
Enthusiast
Wine -
Spectator
Wine
-
Wong
Wilfred -
Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine
-
Parker
Robert -
Wong
Wilfred
-
Spirits
Wine & -
Wong
Wilfred -
Guide
Connoisseurs' -
Spectator
Wine -
Panel
Tasting
-
Spirits
Wine & -
Panel
Tasting -
Parker
Robert
-
Enthusiast
Wine -
Spirits
Wine & -
Parker
Robert
-
Spirits
Wine & -
Enthusiast
Wine -
Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine
-
Spirits
Wine & -
Guide
Connoisseurs' -
Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine
-
Guide
Connoisseurs' -
Spirits
Wine & -
Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine -
Enthusiast
Wine
-
Spirits
Wine & -
Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine
-
Enthusiast
Wine -
Guide
Connoisseurs' -
Spectator
Wine
-
Parker
Robert
-
Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine -
Spirits
Wine &
-
Spectator
Wine
-
Enthusiast
Wine -
Spectator
Wine
-
Spectator
Wine
-
Spectator
Wine
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.