2016 Maximin Grünhaus Riesling Sekt Reserve Mosel – buy online

WHO?

Maximin Grünhaus is an estate with an exceptionally rich history, with records of viticulture dating back to Roman times. The name itself originates from the Abbey of St. Maximin, a Benedictine monastery that owned this land from the 7th to the 18th century. Since the late 19th century, the estate has been under the control of the Schubert family (headed by Carl von Schubert), representing the fifth generation. The traditional labels of this famous house faithfully reflect the content in the bottle; a deeply rooted synergy of terroir, grape variety, and winemaker.

WHERE?

Situated on steep, southern slopes just 2 km from where the Ruwer River flows into the Mosel, Maximin Grünhaus estate is located. For Maximin Grünhaus Sekt, 100% healthy grapes are harvested from the Herrenberg vineyard. Classified as VDP.Grosse Lage, Herrenberg, with its 19 hectares, is the largest vineyard in the trio of Maximin Grünhaus monopoles. Its soil composition shares many similar characteristics with the adjacent cult site Abtsberg, including southeast to southwest orientation and the famous Devonian slate – with a slight reddish hue – giving the wines exceptional texture. Towards the rear, Herrenberg is closed with the Grüneberg forest and is traditionally considered a cooler and slightly flatter position.

WHY?

The whole bunches are pressed at low pressure for about 3 hours. The base wine ferments in old Fuder barrels and remains on fine lees until April. After racking and fining, the wine is taken to a local Sekt producer (Sekt being the German term for sparkling wines made by the traditional method) who processes the secondary fermentation in the bottle and then aging on full, 48 months of yeast autolysis in the bottle, followed by all stages until disgorgement – the classic “champenoise” method. The dosage (amount of added sugar during disgorgement) is made with a subtle amount of Abtsberg Spätlese wine. Very delicate and persistent bubbles in the glass and energetic mineralities typical of Grünhaus Rieslings. The nose opens towards wet stone, brioche, breadcrumbs, and toast framed in a citrus wrap of lemon, lime, and green Granny Smith apple. On the palate, velvety texture and penetrating freshness.