07/09/2025
“Perched on the steep slopes of the Ruwer Valley, Maximin Grünhaus is a benchmark dry Riesling producer that marries precision with the deep history of an estate continually farmed as far back as the 4th century AD.
The first historically documented mention of the estate came in 966 AD, farmed by Benedictine monks – though archaeological evidence points to Roman farming of the region. The estate’s vineyards were categorized by who received the end product: Brudersberg (wines for the brothers), Herrenberg (for the monastery’s choir-masters) and Abtsberg (for the Abbot and visiting dignitaries).
It is Abtsberg that we will focus on today.
Classified as a Grosse Lage - Germany’s equivalent of a Burgundian Grand Cru - site, Abtsberg sits atop deep blue Devonian slate soils. The vineyard’s elevation is stark, reaching aspects of 70 degrees at many points. This is a difficult 35 acres to farm, but it allows the Riesling ripen fully despite being at the northern extreme where vines can successfully be cultivated. The entire vineyard is farmed by Maximin Grünhaus as a monopole.
The nose begins with a deep minerality, crushed slate, lime zest and smoke. On the palate: everything above plus green apple, pears, white peaches, and an autumnal-petrichor. The finish practically thrums with energy and lasted for much longer than expected. The acid present in this wine promises years more of development should you choose to hold on to it.” -Miles
Link in story for more info on this 2020 Maximin Grünhaus Abtsberg Grosses Gewächs (GG) Riesling
