A 9-Year-Old Vintage Sparkling Riesling That Rivals Champagne
2017 Weingut Josef Leitz Rudesheimer Drachenstein Riesling Sekt Dragonstone
If this bottle had "Champagne" on the label and was made from Chardonnay, it would cost three times as much. But because it is a top-tier German Sekt made from Riesling, it remains one of the best-kept secrets in the sparkling world. Johannes Leitz is a master of the Rheingau, and with this 2017 vintage release, he proves that his beloved "Dragonstone" vineyard isn't just for still wines—it produces world-class bubbles, too. German Sekt is currently having a massive renaissance, and this bottle…
Read the full story →
The "Vintage" Factor: Finding a 2017 vintage sparkling wine at this price point is almost unheard of. It offers the developed, toasty notes of a mature prestige cuvée without the triple-digit price tag
Quartzite Terroir: Sourced from the sheer quartzite slopes of the Rüdesheimer Drachenstein, which gives the wine a distinct, flinty minerality that sets it apart from chalk-based Champagnes.
$39.99
Our Price
Free shipping on orders over $85
Tasting notes
Aroma
An explosive nose of lime blossom, green apple, and white peach, layered with complex notes of warm toast, rising dough, and crushed flint.
Palate
The mousse is fine and creamy, carrying waves of ripe citrus and stone fruit across the palate. The finish is bone-dry and electric, with a salty mineral kick that demands fresh oysters or fried chicken.
Sparkling Wine Body Profile
Light
Bold
Body Profile
Feather-light
19/100 Intensity
Light
Bold
19.0/100
Feather-light
Lifted
Balanced
Structured
Powerful
Grapes
100% Riesling
ABV
11.5%
Serving
44–48°F
Window
2025–2034
In Detail
Sourced from the famous "Dragonstone" vineyard, this 2017 Sekt delivers the toasted complexity of a prestige cuvée for a fraction of the price
If this bottle had "Champagne" on the label and was made from Chardonnay, it would cost three times as much. But because it is a top-tier German Sekt made from Riesling, it remains one of the best-kept secrets in the sparkling world. Johannes Leitz is a master of the Rheingau, and with this 2017 vintage release, he proves that his beloved "Dragonstone" vineyard isn't just for still wines—it produces world-class bubbles, too.
German Sekt is currently having a massive renaissance, and this bottle shows exactly why. At nine years old, this wine has developed incredible complexity. The razor-sharp acidity of the 2017 vintage (a crucial trait for great sparkling wine) has kept it vibrant and electric, while the years in the bottle have added layers of toasted brioche, honeycomb, and savory spice.
The magic comes from the pure quartzite soil of the Drachenstein vineyard. It imparts a salty, smoky minerality that cuts right through the bubbles. This is not a simple, fruity prosecco-style wine; this is a serious, structured sparkling wine with the depth and autolytic character to stand toe-to-toe with vintage Champagne.
