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

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

Origin:

The traditional Maximin Grünhaus winery on the Ruwer River near Mertesdorf was first documented in 966 , when Emperor Otto I donated the vineyards to the Benedictine monastery of St. Maximin in Trier. Since the 19th century, it has been owned by the von Schubert family, who still manage it today. The estate boasts three historic monopoly vineyards: Abtsberg, Herrenberg, and Bruderberg . While Abtsberg produces wines with a cool, taut minerality, Herrenberg , with its 19 hectares on red Devonian slate, is characterized by fruit-forward, spicy, and somewhat more approachable Rieslings . The cooler exposure, the more dense forest fringe, and the less steep slopes shape its character: classic Ruwer Rieslings with early drinking pleasure yet great development potential.

Expansion:

The vines in Herrenberg are deeply rooted in the red slate soil. Harvesting is carried out by hand in multiple rounds to ensure precise selection. The Kabinett is deliberately harvested with low must weights and fermented with spontaneous yeasts in traditional foudres or stainless steel. The wine is aged gently, without fining, to preserve its freshness, lightness, and clear fruit .

Aroma & Taste:

A light lemon yellow in the glass. The nose reveals yellow apple, mirabelle plum, and citrus fruits , complemented by herbal spice and delicate floral aromas . On the palate, the wine is lively and juicy , with a precise, stimulating acidity and distinct slate minerality. The structure is smoother and creamier than the Abtsberg, and the finish reveals ripe fruit and spicy accents. A Kabinett that combines lightness and depth.

Food recommendation:

A versatile accompaniment to trout meunier with lemon butter , chicken salad with fresh herbs , or Asian dishes with a subtle spice like fried shrimp with ginger. Mild soft cheeses or a fruit cake with apricots also underscore the elegant balance of sweetness and acidity.

Special features of the 2023 vintage on the Ruwer:

The 2023 vintage was characterized by a warm and dry spring, followed by drought stress in June and rain from the end of July. Ripening progressed unusually quickly in some places, requiring careful attention during the harvest. However, the Riesling, in particular, demonstrated its adaptability and benefited from the mild autumn days. Many grapes were harvested in the late harvest range , while noble rot also enabled the production of noble sweet specialties. This vintage, the Herrenberg Kabinett, displays a pronounced fruitiness, a balanced interplay of sweetness and acidity, and early elegance . Overall, 2023 is considered a good to very good Mosel vintage , impressively highlighting the strengths of the Riesling.

Conclusion:

The Herrenberg Riesling Kabinett 2023 underscores the unique character of this vineyard: more fruity, spicier, and creamier than the Abtsberg, yet just as typically Ruwer. It embodies the lightness and balance for which the Mosel Kabinett wines are famous— classic, easy-drinking, and with ageing potential . A wine that impressively reflects the diversity of the Grünhäuser monopoly.