2018 Maximin Grunhauser Herrenberg Auslese

Immaculately polished, river-bed aromas spring from the glass, joined by bright candied citrus, snowy apples and what can only be described as glacier water. Although there’s some serious sweetness behind this, it’s so integrated that it’s practically seamless, wedded to crystalline lemon and orange flavors and wrapped up in mesmerizing layers of gliding acidity. Drink now or hold.

Vinified in stainless steel, the 2018 Maximin Grünhaus Herrenberg Riesling Auslese Nr. 91 (Goldkapsel) is concentrated and piquant on the generously aromatic nose that displays finely crushed and oily stone aromas with notes of bitter oranges, freshly crushed black pepper and ripe, lush stone fruits (mangos, peaches). This is cool, spicy, pretty aristocratic and knocking on the Abtsberg's door. The palate is lush and elegant, piquant and crystalline, with lingering salinity and mouthwatering piquancy. This is not just brilliant and precise but also complex and impressively long and tensioned. One of the finest Herrenberg bottlings I can remember. 8% alcohol. Tasted from AP 27 19 in June 2019.