Mission Codename Doctor! Loosen my mind!
This must be the coolest of all sweet treats. Literally.
Made of perfectly round, ripe, and plump frozen berries picked at night and crushed while still frozen for just a few bottles of pure golden elixir per ton.
This Wine Spectator ode to what they call “Icy Splendor” says it all: “Ice wine is a rare dessert nectar, subject to the vagaries of Mother Nature. In order to make it, the grapes must be naturally frozen on the vine, harvested and pressed under temperatures of about minus 8 or 9 degrees Celsius. The sugar content is concentrated, but so is the acidity, resulting in a sweet/sour tang.”
And how is it fair that TWO superstars get to collaborate on this?
A collaboration so strong, that became the first of its kind to be awarded a perfect 100-point score by Wine & Spirits magazine just this year, raving that “Ernst Loosen has spent just over 20 years in collaboration with Chateau Ste. Michelle, two decades combing hundreds of acres of Riesling vines for places that might meet his ideal expression of the variety in Washington State on a low-sloping vineyard that begins close to the banks of the Columbia in the Horse Heaven Hills.”
Dr. Loosen’s own Germanic ‘Eiswein’ Riesling can fetch a 100 bucks per bottle, so at the original $60 this already was a steal.
At this price it leaves us frozen in awe!
95 Points – Wine Spectator
“Just outstanding, rich and unctuous, this is impeccably balanced by refreshing acidity. Seductive apricot nectar and petrol aromas elegantly dance toward rich, polished pear and hazelnut flavors. Drink now through 2024.”
94 Points – Wine Enthusiast
“The aromas pop, with notes of diesel, lychee, dried orange peel, marmalade and peach. The stone-fruit and tropical flavors are rich, sugary and intense, showing an exquisite sense of balance. Skip the rest of dessert. This delivers it all by itself.”
What the Winery Says
2014 'Eroica' Riesling Ice Wine 375ml
- Winemaker
- Bob Bertheau
- Varietal
- 100% Riesling
- Vintage
- 2014
- Alcohol
- 9%
- Appellation
- Horse Heaven Hills, Columbia Valley
- Vineyard
- Horse Heaven Vineyard
- Harvest date
- Nov. 21, 2014
- Brix at harvest
- 34.9°
- Total acidity
- 9.1 g/L
- pH
- 2.98
- Residual sugar
- 185.8 g/L
- Aging
- 6 months
- Vessels
- 100% stainless steel