Dr. Lippold Riesling Urziger Wurzgarten Alte Reben Auslese - 375ml Bottle

Since centuries the "Wurzgarten" has been considered as one of the best vineyard sites on the Mosel. In 1804, under the reign of Napoleon all vineyards in the French Empire were classified, including those on "La Moselle", then French territory. The parcel "Weltersberg", where the grapes for this wine originate from, was classified as a "Grand Cru" at par with the Grand Crus in Burgundy.

As a veteran in the German fine wine industry, Dr. Lippold served at the executive level and later self-employed both on the vineyard/winemaking side as well as on the Marketing/PR front. For almost 50 vintages his personal focus has been on fine Estate wines from Mosel, Rheingau, and Pfalz.

In 2006 a lifelong dream came true when Lippold was able to acquire from the Pfeiffer family, Ürzig two small, very old parcels of the family vineyards: The Weltersberg, under Napoleon classified as a “Grand Cru”, and the Neuberg, a historic “Premier Cru”.

The vines are 100% pre-phylloxera genetics going back to the 16th century by own "Selection Massale."

In vineyard and cellar, he is partnering to create individual, artisanal wines under the label Dr. Lippold. These wines from the "Weltersberg" parcel from vines averaging 70 years express the unique red slate terroir and vintage profile. The second label, the Estate Riesling Empress Josephine Riesling is vinified from Spätlese grapes of the Neuberg vineyard, planted in 1981.

For the Sparkling Moselle Riesling Brut Vintage early harvested grapes are used from the same parcel.

All wines are strictly late released from the cellar, the minimum is 24 months after vintage but the majority undergoes a several-year maturation period for balance, harmony, and complexity. The exceptional trio of vintage 2010 - Auslese, Auslese Gold, and Beerenauslese, a declassified TBA, is going to be released as a first small batch in 2021.

Wines from Ürziger Würzgarten are generally amongst the highest rated Rieslings from the middle Mosel and considered as world-class wines. Hugh Johnson includes the Würzgarten in his list of eight “Grand Cru” sites in the middle Mosel. Oz Clarke: .... the "Spice Garden" vineyard is probably the hottest suntrap in one of Germany ́s coolest wine regions - the Mosel Valley."