Grünhäuser

With its long history, prime location on the Ruwer and gloriously old-fashioned bottle labels, Weingut Maximin Grünhaus is undoubtedly one of the doyens of German wine cultivation. My first Grünhäuser experience was a long time in coming. It was worth the wait.

Weingut Maximin Grünhaus, Riesling Herrenberg Alte Reben trocken, Fass 22, 2011, Mosel, Germany 
Greyish straw yellow with greenish hints. Extremely pungent on the nose, showing obvious slate notes as well as an egg-like, almost savoury aroma that smells better than it sounds. Less pungent a day later, with reddish apple and a lovely complex smokiness. On the palate, this translates into apple, slate and ginger with an almost caramelly texture and faintly sweet note. A dry wine in name, but incredibly balanced, interwoven and generous.

Due in no small part to my relative inexperience when it comes to trockens from the Mosel (or Ruwer for that matter), it's hard for me to place this wine in context. I have merely stored it in my memory bank, and that will have to suffice for now.