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Buy any 6 bottles and save 5%. Buy any 12 bottles and save 10% (excludes wines on offer). Free UK delivery on orders over £100. Tel: 02922 337454
Buy any 6 bottles and save 5%. Buy any 12 bottles and save 10% (excludes wines on offer). Free UK delivery on orders over £100. Tel: 02922 337454
2025 Riesling Dry Red Slate, Dr Loosen

2025 Riesling Dry Red Slate, Dr Loosen

Mosel, Germany

Crimson Slate

Herbal, mineral and beautifully composed, Red Slate takes Mosel Riesling in a more structured, savoury direction. Cassis, citrus and fresh herbs rise from the glass, underpinned by cool stone and a distinctive earthy mineral note from the red-slate vineyards. There is more texture and seriousness here than in Dr Loosen’s entry-level dry Rieslings, yet the wine remains bright, fragrant and unmistakably Mosel.

The palate is crisp and precise, but extended lees ageing gives it a refined creamy texture through the middle. Citrus freshness, herbal complexity and mineral grip lead into a long, mouth-watering saline finish. This is a particularly compelling bottle for those who want dry Riesling with real vineyard character, added texture and enough structure to work brilliantly at the table.

For when: You want dry Riesling with more depth, texture and mineral bite.

Pairs with: Grilled trout, smoked salmon, roast pork, schnitzel, shellfish, sushi, Thai salads, charred vegetables or lightly spiced poultry.

Red Slate is sourced exclusively from estate vineyards in Ürzig, Erden, Lösnich and Kinheim, where distinctive red slate appears among the more widespread blue slate of the Middle Mosel. Ernst Loosen’s family has a particularly long connection with Ürzig, and this wine continues an old family tradition of making dry, age-worthy Riesling from these steep slopes. Much of the vineyard work must still be carried out by hand because of the extreme gradients.

Whats in the bottle
Riesling 100%

£19.50 - £19.50
£19.50
£19.50 - £19.50
£19.50
Availability:
In stock

Dr Loosen is one of the defining names of modern Mosel Riesling. The Loosen family has owned vineyards in the region for more than 200 years, with Ernst “Ernie” Loosen taking charge in 1988 and setting out to place vineyard character firmly at the heart of the wines.

The estate was fortunate to inherit mature, often ungrafted Riesling vines in some of the Middle Mosel’s finest vineyards. Ernst reduced yields, placed greater emphasis on vineyard health and pursued wines that express the differences between slate, exposure and individual site rather than relying on a heavy cellar signature.

Dr Loosen has been a member of the VDP since 1993, and nine estate vineyards hold the prestigious Grosse Lage designation. The range stretches from accessible regional Rieslings to highly sought-after single-vineyard wines and long-aged dry bottlings.

For customers, Red Slate sits in a particularly attractive position. It offers noticeably more vineyard identity, texture and complexity than the simpler regional wines while remaining approachable, versatile and unmistakably Mosel.

The 2025 Red Slate is made from 100% Riesling grown exclusively in Dr Loosen’s estate vineyards on red slate soils in the villages of Ürzig, Erden, Lösnich and Kinheim. These distinctive red-slate outcrops are less widespread in the Mosel than blue slate and are specifically farmed by the estate to produce dry Riesling.

The steepness of these vineyards means much of the work must be carried out entirely by hand. In the most extreme sections, conventional modern trellising is impractical, so the traditional Mosel Arch training system is still used, with vines attached to individual posts and the canes bent into the characteristic heart shape.

The 2025 growing season began with well-replenished soils and a cool spring that delayed budbreak. Alternating warm, dry and wet conditions then encouraged rapid growth, while favourable flowering produced a strong, even fruit set. August was warm and dry, delivering aromatic, balanced fruit. Rain during harvest required rigorous selection and reduced the final quantity, but quality was preserved.

Fermentation is spontaneous, using native yeasts in traditional 3,000-litre neutral German oak fuder. The wine remains on its fine lees in the same neutral casks for up to 12 months, building texture and complexity without adding overt oak flavour. The casks are then lightly filtered and blended, with the wine resting for a further few months in stainless steel before bottling. Alcohol is 12%, residual sugar is 8.3 g/L, and closure is screwcap.

The finished wine is dry, crisp and mineral, with herbal and cassis aromas wrapped around a surprisingly creamy texture. Extended lees ageing gives breadth without sacrificing freshness, and the long saline finish keeps the wine energetic. It is excellent now with fish, pork or aromatic food, while the structure and acidity should allow it to develop further.