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Carl Loewen, Riesling 1896 [Grey Label], 2023

White Wine from Mosel, Germany
by Carl Loewen
$105.99
Use code 10OFF to get 10% off 12+ bottles

Carl Loewen’s “1896 Grey Label” isn’t just another dry Riesling—it’s a piece of Mosel history, made from some of the oldest documented Riesling vines in the world. Planted in 1896 on their own roots, these ungrafted vines sit on steep, slate-covered slopes near Longuich, and the wine they produce is pure, linear, and profoundly expressive.

The 2023 vintage brings crystalline precision: lime zest, green apple, crushed slate, and a flicker of wild herbs, with racy acidity and a firm mineral backbone. But what sets this apart is the texture—deep, tactile, and slightly smoky, the kind of mouthfeel only truly old vines (and meticulous winemaking) can deliver.

Loewen ferments with native yeasts in old foudres, with long lees contact and no manipulation—a style that feels traditional but alive, giving the wine both tension and soul. It’s dry, but not bone-rattling; elegant, but with an edge. A Riesling that drinks like it knows where it comes from.

Drink it young for its snap and verve, or cellar for a decade to watch it stretch into something even more layered and savory.

Shipping

Every step of the journey is managed to uphold the integrity of each bottle.

  • Nationwide Access: Flat-rate shipping available to most U.S. states with delivery in 3-5 business days.
  • Temperature-Monitored Shipping: We closely monitor weather conditions and make informed decisions to ensure shipments travel safely, with insulated packaging and refrigerated transport available when required.
  • Wine-Specific Protective Packaging: Specialized materials designed to maintain label integrity and prevent breakage during transit.
  • Provenance Assured: All wines are maintained in climate-controlled conditions at our shop until the moment of dispatch.

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  • Corked wine? Full refund or exchange within 60 days
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Phone: (212) 477-1315


Antonio Galloni

95 points

"The 2023 Riesling 1896 honors the year of planting in its name, with vines in the Maximin Herrenberg that were 127 years old when picked. The grapes were harvested across a spectrum of ripeness, slowly pressed in an old basket press and fermented spontaneously without sedimentation in Fuder. Creamy ripe smooth apple shines with a touch of fennel seed. The palate is clear-cut and bright, with a mouth-filling bold presence but without fat and a luminous citrus echo. This is expansive but precise." —Vinous

More about

Wine Details

  • Grape Variety

    Riesling

  • Vintage

    2023

  • Size

    750ml

  • Farming Practice

    Organic

  • Sweetness

    Dry

  • Body

    Medium Bodied

Flatiron's Take

From the Importer

Tasting Notes & Food Pairings

Perfect Pairings

Tasting Profile


WINE GUIDES

German Wines

Is there a better grape than Riesling? Is there a better value? Its fruit purity, its perfume, and its mineral nuance are all unparalleled. And for centuries, the top German Rieslings were priced accordingly: at least as expensive as the top red wines of Bordeaux and Burgundy. But nowadays you could spend a lifetime exploring Germany’s great Riesling-producing regions while staying well within your budget. You might take an occasional break to try Germany’s other white grapes or perhaps a glass of Spätburgunder (the local name for Pinot Noir). It’s time to get started!

Learn more about German Wines