Leonard Kreusch Estate Label Riesling

Leonard Kreusch Estate Label Riesling is a medium-dry German Riesling from the Mosel region, bottled at approximately 11% ABV in a 750ml format. The 2018 vintage earned 87 points from Wine Enthusiast, which praised its pristine citrus flavors and long, earthen finish — a strong showing for a Mosel Riesling at this accessible tier.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~11%  |  Origin: Mosel, Germany  |  Style: Medium-Dry Riesling  |  Winery: Leonard Kreusch

Production & Heritage

Leonard Kreusch is a historic Mosel producer founded in 1849, headquartered in Trier, Germany. The Estate Label Riesling draws fruit from vineyards around the village of Piesport along the Mosel River, where slate-laden soils store warmth from the sun and channel minerals to the vine roots. The wine is made in a medium-dry style with a touch of residual sweetness that balances the naturally high acidity typical of cool-climate Mosel Riesling.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with fresh lemon and lime zest, moving into softer notes of white peach and pear. A faint petrol whisper and wet stone minerality develop as the wine breathes, signaling classic Mosel character.

Taste: The entry is bright and citrus-driven, with juicy white grapefruit and green apple at the forefront. Mid-palate, subtle peach and pear sweetness emerges, offset by a focused thread of slate-inflected minerality that keeps the wine lean and structured rather than overtly fruity.

Finish: The finish is surprisingly persistent for a wine at this price point, carrying citrus peel and earthy, stony notes. A gentle residual sweetness lingers without cloying, tapering into a clean, bracing close.

How to Drink Estate Label Riesling

Serve well chilled, between 45–50°F, to let the acidity and minerality shine. This Riesling is versatile enough for both standalone sipping and cocktail use. A Riesling Spritz — topped with soda and a grapefruit twist — highlights the wine's citrus brightness. It also works in a Hugo Spritz variation, where its minerality provides a drier backbone than the typical Prosecco base. For a simple warm-weather drink, try a Riesling Sangria with sliced stone fruits and fresh mint, letting the wine's peach notes amplify the fruit.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners featuring Asian or Southeast Asian cuisine
• Introducing someone to German Riesling without overwhelming sweetness
• Warm-weather patio sipping with lighter fare
• Building a tasting flight exploring Mosel terroir at different price points

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Estate Label Riesling taste like? It delivers bright citrus flavors — grapefruit, lime, and green apple — balanced by subtle peach sweetness and an undercurrent of slate minerality. The medium-dry profile makes it refreshing rather than sugary.

How does Estate Label Riesling compare to Leonard Kreusch Piesporter Michelsberg Riesling? Both wines come from Mosel vineyards around Piesport, but the Piesporter Michelsberg is a Grosslage designation that tends toward a fruitier, more overtly sweet profile with apple and pear emphasis. The Estate Label Riesling leans drier, with more pronounced mineral and citrus character and greater structural focus.

Is Estate Label Riesling good for beginners? Yes — its touch of residual sweetness rounds out the acidity, making it approachable for those new to Riesling, while the mineral backbone gives experienced drinkers enough complexity to stay engaged.

Where is Estate Label Riesling made? It is produced by Leonard Kreusch, a winery founded in 1849 and based in Trier, in Germany's Mosel wine region. The fruit is sourced from vineyards near Piesport, where the slate soils along the Mosel River define the wine's mineral character.

What foods pair well with Estate Label Riesling? Thai green curry — the wine's sweetness tempers chili heat. Seared scallops with citrus butter — complementing the grapefruit and lime notes. Pork schnitzel — a classic German regional pairing. Mild soft cheeses like Brie or young goat cheese — balanced by the wine's acidity. Sushi and sashimi — the clean minerality and bright acid refresh the palate between bites.

What sizes does Estate Label Riesling come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Estate Label Riesling worth the price? This positions firmly in the entry-level tier for Mosel Riesling, delivering terroir-driven slate minerality and balanced fruit at a price point well below single-vineyard German bottlings. Its 87-point Wine Enthusiast score on the 2018 vintage suggests consistent over-delivery for the category.

Why Estate Label Riesling?

The strongest case for this wine is its transparency to place. Sourced from Piesport's slate-rich slopes — one of the Mosel's most recognized villages — it communicates genuine cool-climate Riesling character without requiring a deep investment. Wine Enthusiast has scored it as high as 87 points, describing "pristine citrus flavors" and a "long finish," which is notable praise for an everyday-priced Mosel bottling. For anyone building familiarity with German Riesling, it demonstrates the grape's signature interplay of fruit, acidity, and minerality in an honest, uncomplicated format.