Riesling Herrenberg Superior

The Maximin Grünhaus Superior wines stand shoulder to shoulder with their Großes Gewächs, capping off the feinherb (off-dry) portion of their portfolio. During spontaneous fermentation, individual fuder casks sometimes “come to a standstill.” As a result, they never fall below the nine grams of residual sugar that, from an analytical standpoint, are necessary to be labeled as dry. Far from being a flaw, these wines exhibit traditional residual sugar levels that balance outstandingly with the crisp Ruwer acidity. The result is a wine that tastes almost dry, is balanced even in its youth yet is more than willing to develop over decades.

A star of the year, only one fuder was selected for the Herrenberg Superior in 2017. Most recognize this as one of the most beautiful expression of this style ever produced at Maximin Grünhaus and it is one of their most stunning wines of the vintage.

The bouquet is dominated by cassis, lime, some litchi, pineapple and subtle aromas of spontaneous fermentation that will subside over time. The salty minerality is present on the nose. Wet slate and the scent of a fresh sea breeze convey cool freshness. On the palate,  salt, lemon, some grapefruit and a fine crunchy texture. The incisive acidity is balanced by the classical residual sugar content in an optimal form. The texture, the delicate complexity and the sharpness of the wine cause us to raise a warning about its addictive potential.

TECHNICAL INFO
Grape Variety: 100% Riesling
Vineyard Source: Maximin Grünhäuser Herrenberg
Soil Type: Red Devonian slate
Vineyard Management: Practicing organic, but not certified
Average Yield: 40 hl/ha
Harvest Method: Selective hand picking
Harvest Date: October 2017
Vinification: Native yeast fermentation
Alcohol: 10.5%
Total Acidity: 8.5 grams/liter
Residual Sweetness: 18.3 grams/liter

Reviews for the 2017 vintage:

[94] Stuart Pigott (JamesSuckling.com)
Legally, this isn’t dry. However, in spite of that, it’s a wonderful dry wine for elegant fish dishes. Deep and complex with herbal notes and berries on the nose. Great tension, energy and minerality on the palate. Enormous aging potential, but it is already delicious.
June 2018

[93] Wine Spectator
Aromas and flavors of hops and salted butter open this Riesling to notes of nectarine and pear. The glossy texture adds to the charm. This is very complex but not flashy at the moment, so wait for the shell to break in several years. Best from 2022 through 2032.
January 2019

[92+] Fine Wine Review
Pure, good acidity and crispness for the vintage. Clear. just a little sweet— the concept of the Superior wines is not to force fermentation to full dryness, but rather to allow fermentation to go as far as it will on its own.
October 2018

[92] Mosel Fine Wines
This offers a beautiful nose of melon, grapefruit zest, apple, mint and spices. The wine is nicely fruity and elegant on the palate, where a touch of cream is lifted up by zesty acidity. The finish is beautifully smooth and full of promise. This just needs a little bit of time to shine.
June 2018