Christopher and Karl-Josef Loewen
Germany
Christopher and Karl-Josef's Wines
- Germany
- 3 wines
- 1 style
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Your Mosel maestros have arrived!
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With their passion for pure, elegant Riesling and dedication to natural winemaking methods that let the fruit do the talking - this father and son pair are making some of the most in-demand wines in the entire Mosel. And the best bit? They just became your star German signings.
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The Loewen’s steep, sloping vineyards encompass some of the very best sites in the entire Mosel, including an astonishing set of 1896-planted vines - ‘the oldest Riesling vines in the world’ says Christopher - that were so highly-revered even then, that the Russian Tsar bought exclusive rights to the wine that was made there.
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Working on those steep slopes in the Mosel Valley has its challenges. Mainly, a lot of hard working hours in the vineyards, picking every single grape by hand. But for Christopher - who now runs the show - and Karl-Josef, it’s all worth it to make a truly special wine for people like you to enjoy.
Vineyard Location
Christopher and Karl-Josef Loewen's Story
Christopher and Karl-Josef's Story
I (Christopher) grew up directly in the winery and since I have been a child, I was always helping my father in the winery. It was always fascinating to see the vines growing in the summer and how the wines have been made in the cellar. For me there was never a doubt to take over the estate from my parents one day. That´s why I decided to study viticulture and enology at the university of Geisenheim. Several Internships arround the world at great estates, showed me that our area is something special in the world of wines. Such an elegant and pure style of Riesling can only been made in the special Terroir of Mosel.
I just love the daily work in the winery, beeing in the vines everyday in the summer, following their growth and making wines that show the potential of our Terroir.
As I have been in the cellar, since I can think, it was a slow and long process taking over the winemaking from my father. But after my degree in viticulture and Enology at Geisenheim University I fully focused on our estate in 2015. I have been super happy, that I could take over a winery with already a great sustainable thinking in the vineyards and cellar.
I think there are not a lot of Jobs nowadays, where you can follow a product from the Production until the final sales. It all starts with an idea of a wine in your head, than you plant vines, after 4 years you get the first yield, and at the end you can finally let a customer taste the outcome of a few years process.
Our idea at Carl Loewen is to make low intervention wines from old, partially ungrafted vines. Our oldest Riesling vines for our top wine is the oldest Riesling vineyard in the world, planted 1896. This means to us, that all wines are fermenting without any additions, so only the natural yeast, coming from the vineyard and cellar ferments our juice.
We love pure, elegant wines that are juicy and refreshing, but still have a long finish. These are wines that suit to great dishes, but will never overwhelm them. On top with the low alcohol of Maximum 12,5% our Riesling can accompany a long night with great conversations.
We just love the moment, when the wines have finished their natural fermentation and you taste the first sip of a new wine and nature has given us again a great outcome.
Working in the steep slopes of Mosel valley with old Riesling vines means a lot of working hours for a great bottle of wine. Due to this, a good bottle of Mosel needs to cost a certain amount of money. With your help, we can keep on farming the best vineyards in the steepest parts of the area to ensure you great Mosel Rieslings in the future. Come to Mosel valley to visit the fascinating steep slopes, where your wines are growing!
Christopher and Karl-Josef's Activity
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Pineapple fruitiness on the nose. On tasting this isn't a petrol kind of Riesling, but a more delicate one. Fruit forward with a floral edge and a delicate finish. A lovely Riesling
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(latest reply 8 months ago)
This is indeed a momentous review, but more of that later. A few years ago I wouldn’t have touched Riesling with a barge pole: bad experiences with early adventures into wine, allied with bad cheap examples drunk during the 90’s in Paris had stained me.
But then along came Vicky and educated me and the rest is history.
A nose of pineapple chunks, and on the palate I get zingy fresh pear, peach and pineapple. Well-balanced, great mouthfeel, just the right level of acidity and just a perfect match to a well-spiced daal and other accompaniments. I didn’t want this bottle to end it was that good.
Yes it’s expensive, but there are reasons for that and if a wine is this good, you really don’t mind paying extra.
So, momentous? Why? I hear one or two of you ask. Well, I’m stingy with my 5 hearts, and this is definitely number 7 on the list and is the first non-red wine ever to be rewarded with the full house.
Friday 19th January 2024 x 95/100
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(latest reply 8 months ago)
A really classy drop... Everything a high quality Reisling should be. Dry, mineral flavours and then a really long finish.
Totally fabulous
I think Riesling may be my new favourite type of white wine.
This was delightful. I eventually caught up with Ray's review of the last Fine Wine Club offering and was keen to try this riesling after hearing from the winemaker. And I wasn't disappointed. Lovely flavours with a great lime/lemon finish. I will definitely buy more of their wine. We enjoyed it with salmon. Bravo!
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(latest reply 1 year ago)
Mum in law loved it.x
Absolutely gorgeous example, the best we’ve found available in the uk!
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(latest reply 2 months ago)
This went very well paired with some breadcrumbed cod loin, home-made, oven-baked chips and peas and sweetcorn on Friday.
Christopher and Karl-Josef make some excellent Mosel Rieslings - of which this is the mid-priced one - and deservedly took a Bronze Medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2023 Carl Loewen Riesling Alte Reben 2021
I have prepared for Storm Darragh by getting a beef casserole in the oven early on Saturday, filling a thermos flask and have torches to hand. Sadly any wind with more ferocity than butterfly flatulence tends to leave our village without power and we don't have the luxury of mains gas in our village.
I hope everyone has a safe, damage-free weekend and enjoy your wine. 👍
