2023 Mertesdorf Abtsberg Riesling Kabinett VDP.Grosse Lage Weingut Maximin Grünhaus Mosel 0.75l

2023 Mertesdorf Abtsberg Riesling Kabinett VDP.Grosse Lage Weingut Maximin Grünhaus - Mosel/Ruwer
local wine

Origin:

The Maximin Grünhaus winery on the Ruwer is one of the oldest and most renowned estates in Germany. Its history stretches back to the year 966 , when Emperor Otto I donated the vineyards to the Benedictine monastery of St. Maximin. It has been owned by the von Schubert family since the end of the 19th century. The heart of the winery are the three monopoly vineyards Abtsberg, Herrenberg and Bruderberg , which have reflected a fine hierarchy for centuries. While the Bruderberg, with its eastern exposure, produces lighter, often earlier-accessible wines, and the Herrenberg, on red slate, impresses with its spicy-fruity and creamy style, the Abtsberg , with its extremely steep slopes on blue slate, is considered the estate's "Grand Cru". Here, Rieslings of particular depth, elegance and longevity are produced.

Expansion:

The grapes for the Abtsberg Kabinett come from the steepest plots and were hand-picked in multiple rounds to maintain the optimal balance of ripeness and freshness. Following the selective harvest , spontaneous fermentation with natural yeasts took place in traditional foudres and stainless steel. The aging process was deliberately gentle and unfined to preserve the delicate structure and mineral character of the Abtsberg.

Aroma & Taste:

The Abtsberg Kabinett 2023 displays a light lemon yellow in the glass. The nose reveals notes of green apples, citrus fruits, and vineyard peaches , complemented by white blossoms and a fine, cool slate spice . On the palate, the wine is light-footed and precise , with lively acidity and a subtle sweetness that is perfectly balanced. The texture remains taut and fine, and the finish is mineral, elegant, and of great clarity . Compared to the other vineyards, the Abtsberg always appears somewhat more straightforward and focused , less opulent than the Herrenberg and more structured than the more delicate Bruderberg.

Food recommendation:

Ideal with fried char with lemon butter , Asian dishes with ginger and coriander , or summer vegetables like asparagus or zucchini . Goat's cheese or a fruity apricot tart also emphasize the delicate balance of sweetness and acidity.

Special features of the 2023 vintage on the Ruwer:

The year 2023 presented Mosel winegrowers with major challenges. After a warm, dry spring, drought stress hit in June and sunburn in July, before heavy rains began in late July. Ripening was rapid in some cases, so that more than half of the Riesling grapes were harvested in the late harvest range. Nevertheless, the Abtsberg managed to maintain the balance between intense fruit, lively acidity, and fine minerality . While the 2023 Bruderberg wines are rather light and playful, and the Herrenberg, with its spicy, creamier character, appears a little fuller, the Abtsberg Kabinett presents itself as clear, precise, and coolly elegant . A vintage that demonstrates how well Riesling can cope with extreme conditions.

Conclusion:

The Abtsberg Riesling Kabinett 2023 is a prime example of the site's stylistic independence. It combines the taut minerality and delicate structure of the Abtsberg with the fruitiness of the 2023 vintage, clearly distinguishing it from the more accessible, fruitier wines of the Herrenberg and the finer, lighter qualities of the Bruderberg. A wine with classic Ruwer character , it's already delightful now but still has many years of development potential.