by Keith M » Tue Mar 25, 2008 1:11 am
Ran into these wines in a state liquor store while visiting New Hampshire, and they proved welcome additions to take advantage of a case sale on German and Spanish wines. My previous limited experience with von Schubert/Maximin Grünhaus had attracted my interest and these wines deepened my appreciation of the producer/location and increased my determination to make a visit when back in euroland. These wines were stunning . . .
2006 Von Schubert Maximin Grünhauser Herrenberg Mosel-Saar-Ruwer Riesling Kabinett (off-dry) (Ruwer, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany) cork closure, 10% - imported to USA by Valckenberg International - appears straw gold, tiny bit of suspended bubbles within, smell nose a bit closed, nice recessed mineral, very subdued, with a swirl, POW, a lot more sweet rocks, very welcoming, taste fizz upfront, steely rock yet quite rounded, easy fun, almost spicy quality to the rocks, wonderful grabbing fruit, pleasant through and through with a lot more intensity than sweetness, on day two, perhaps a bit more delicate, layered melon and lime with rocky outcroppings, very pleasant while being quite intense, a great tightrope wine, would visit again at $24/$21 with discount,
aside: while I don't have enough experience in this estate, vineyard, or riesling in general to make an informed call, this wine seemed to be holding something back for the future and was keeping its cards close to its chest, the QbA below was fabulous and if I had any more it would have problems lasting a month--it brought so much pleasure, I could see no reason to hold it, the spätlese below was wonderful now and pleasant, but some of the savory notes seemed to indicate interesting things in the future, this kabinett, while certainly pleasant, seemed only to tease that wonderful things might be in store for a suitor with sufficient patience, but it certainly would not do to give too much detail now, oh no, it simply wouldn't do . . .
2006 Von Schubert Maximin Grünhauser Mosel-Saar-Ruwer Riesling QbA (Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany) cork closure, 8.5% - imported to USA by Valckenberg International – appears medium gold, smell bit of sweaty feet at first, after a bit rocks come out, light dancing sweetness, taste very nice finely bound and integrated fizz, full rounded not quite rich sweetness combined with wonderful lightness and tartness, wonderful delicious buzz within with great fruit, sweet but ideally balanced and addictive beyond belief, great acid, delicious, delicious, delicious, delicious, delicious, back-and-forth playful delicious, $20/$17 with discount, and, at that price, I do not understand how there is not civil unrest throughout the country demanding this wine, protest movements demanding more equitable distribution, poetry slams singing its praises, offbeat references to the wine in pop culture and among folk artists and hip hop performers, addition of a third spigot spouting this wine into the sinks of the rich and famous, this is wow stuff for me
2006 Von Schubert Maximin Grünhauser Abstberg Mosel-Saar-Ruwer Riesling Spätlese (Ruwer, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany) cork closure, 8% - appears bit darker shade of gold, slight clingers at first, smell sweet round rocks, bare hint of seawater, beautiful moss-covered rocks, some suggestion of pineapple juice, almost hint of herbs at times, mouthfeel just a touch of heaviness, but great flow, touch of fizziness, taste great sweetness, followed by dainty tart, beautiful white pepper touch of spice, tasty melon, perhaps pear, juicy and far too delicious, clean pointed finish, at times some interesting savory elements, simply intense and delicious, how much is there to say? $30/$25 with discount