Weingut Maximin Grünhaus lies at the foot of a steep southern-facing cliff that extends along the left bank of the Ruwer River, roughly 2 km away from its junction with the Mosel. The vineyards of the Maximin Grünhaus estate are contiguous and enclosed. These three monopole sites (ABTSBERG, HERRENBERG and BRUDERBERG) produce grand wines that beautifully express their singular origins. A 'monopole' is a vineyard site owned and cultivated by a single estate. Although such sites are extremely rare, Maximin Grünhaus is fortunate enough to hold claim to three of them.
A Year of Precise Rhythms Our estate's cellar was built to make the grapes’ journey from vineyard to press as short as possible — usually little more than a few minutes. Following pressing and filtration, the musts are brought to their ideal fermentation temperature and readied for wild yeast fermentation in traditional oak fuder and small stainless steel tanks. In Riesling, this process encourages the herbal minerality for which the Ruwer is renowned. Each Year's Finest We send only each vintage's finest barrels for auction — no more, no less. While we typically blend multiple casks within a single quality classification, such as ABTSBERG Kabinett, we make an exception for barrels we feel best encapsulate a wine's ideal. They are instead left unblended and reserved for auction under their specific cask numbers.
Carl von Schubert Maximin Grunhauser Pinot Noir is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir.
A concentrated yet elegantly refined Pinot Noir grown in the blue slate soils of the Grosse Lage (grand cru) Abtsberg vineyard.
Review:
Johann Michel Cornas Cuvee Jana is 100% Syrah.
Black raspberry aromas, licorice, sizzled bacon and smoke. Elegant and pure with depth and well-integrated tannins.
Jana is the name of Johann and Emmanuelle's daughter.
Manual harvest, selection of the grapes from the "Chaillot" parcel, full clusters, fermentation in tanks for 3 weeks, daily remontage and pigeage. Malolactic fermentation in oak barrels and aging on the lees for 12-18 months in barrels (new old barrels) The average age of the vines is 11 years. Yield: 25 hl/ha
Review:
"Dark purple. Highly perfumed, oak-spiced black and blue fruits, incense, vanilla and potpourri on the hugely perfumed nose, along with hints of licorice, smoked meat and mocha. Stains the palate with concentrated, spice-laced blueberry, cassis, cherry-vanilla and espresso flavors that turn sweeter as the wine opens up. Broad, polished tannins add shape to a strikingly long, smoke- and spice-driven finish that strongly echoes the floral and blue fruit notes. - Josh Raynolds"
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (December 2022), 97 pts
The wine offers a touch of pear, spice and dried fruit aromas on the nose, and exotic fruit characters. Minerality emerges from the primary rock soils, followed by an elegant and lively finish.
Chicken and pork dishes, good food companion to many dishes.