2014 Maximin Grünhauser Abtsberg Riesling Spätlese
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Tasting notes
The 2014 Maximin Grünhäuser Abtsberg Riesling Spätlese (AP #12) opens very clear and smoky on the deep and aromatic nose. It is piquant and intense on the palate, very juicy and concentrated, firm and potent, and far away from being ready to drink. It is lush and piquant, very mineral and racy, and needs at least 15 years to reveal its true talents. This is a great Spätlese in Grand Cru format. Bottled with 68 grams of residual sugar.
Critic scores
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
This estate uses a sweetness scale on the back labels, with a glass rather than a neutral arrow, as counselled by his graphic designer daughter. Bravo! Tight, focused, youthful bouquet of ripe fruit on the palate. Masses of acidity and just a little soft on the end. But lots to enjoy. (JR)
Like its Herrenberg counterpart, this bottling takes on an exotic, decadently floral sense of ripeness and a musky aura as well as a rich texture thanks to the inclusion of botrytis material. Quince and Persian melon are reinforced by a sweetness that is better integrated than in the Herrenberg, and there is a bit more freshness and transparency to stony nuances to its mouthwateringly salt-tinged and gently soothing finish.
A fresh breeze of cool citrus fruit aromas delights the sensory perception. On the palate the juicy bite of pink grapefruit combines with an element of zesty orange peel to produce a tantalising tingle with a finely weighted nuance of minerality on the finish. Despite its fair sweetness the Abtsberg remains light and lively in the best tradition of Ruwer Spätlesen. (MS)