2020 Maximin Grünhaus Maximin Grünhäuser Abtsberg Riesling Kabinett

the Maximin Grünhaus winery on the Ruwer

Maximin Grünhaus is one of the absolute icons of the German wine world. The estate is located in the Ruwer Valley, a tributary of the Moselle, near Trier. The estate's history dates back to Roman times, but since the 19th century it has been in the hands of the von Schubert family, known for its dedication to terroir and tradition.

Under the leadership of Carl von Schubert and his son Maximin, the estate produces elegant Rieslings praised for their purity, tension, and impressive aging potential. The wines are a textbook example of classic German viticulture: light, mineral, and with a perfect balance of fruit, acidity, and subtle residual sweetness.

the Abtsberg vineyard

The Abtsberg is Maximin Grünhaus's flagship vineyard and is considered one of Germany's most beautiful. The slope lies directly behind the estate and is extremely steep, with a southwesterly orientation. The soil consists of blue-gray Devonian slate, which retains heat and gives the wines their characteristic minerality.

The Abtsberg has been known since the Middle Ages as a vineyard that originally belonged exclusively to the Abbey of St. Maximin in Trier. The wines from this vineyard are distinguished by their tension, finesse, and incredible aging potential. They are among the most layered and expressive wines of the entire Mosel region.

maximin grünhaus abtsberg riesling cabinet 2020

The 2020 Abtsberg Riesling Kabinett showcases the estate's classic style at its finest. The 2020 vintage yielded grapes with impressive aromatic intensity, high natural acidity, and an elegant sweet-sour balance. The result is a wine with crystal-clear precision and a mineral depth that can only come from Abtsberg.

harvest and vinification

The grapes were harvested by hand in several stages to achieve optimal ripeness in each plot. Only the finest fruit from the higher slopes was selected for the Kabinett. Fermentation took place with natural yeasts in traditional 1000-liter wooden barrels (Fuder). The cool fermentation preserves freshness and creates a refined balance between residual sweetness and acidity.

The wine was aged for several months on the fine lees and then bottled to preserve its delicate aromas. The 2020 Kabinett is a paragon of elegance, transparency, and freshness—exactly as a great German Riesling should be.

color, smell and taste

The color is pale yellow with subtle green reflections. The aroma opens with notes of ripe peach, melon, and white flowers, followed by hints of mint and wet slate. On the palate, the wine combines delicious fruit ripeness with lively acidity and precise balance. The natural grape sugar subtly lingers in the background, supporting the fruit without overpowering it.

The finish is long, fresh, and mineral, with an elegant, wet-stone note typical of Abtsberg. The whole is harmonious, energetic, and exceptionally refined—a Kabinett that effortlessly combines charm and precision.

review by James Suckling

James Suckling awarded the 2020 Maximin Grünhaus Abtsberg Riesling Kabinett 94 points . He praised the wine for its "wonderful ripeness of the fruit, ranging from peach to melon, as well as a lovely fresh-mint note." According to Suckling, this is a "very classic and precisely balanced" Kabinett, where the natural sweetness remains elegantly in the background. The wine concludes with a "long and fresh, wet-stone finish." He advises: "Drink or hold." (Published on July 2, 2021.)

store and serve

Serve this wine slightly chilled at 8 to 10 degrees Celsius. Young, it displays fruity freshness and lively tension, but with a few years of bottle aging, it develops notes of honey, chamomile, and candied lemon. Ageing potential: 15 to 20 years.

Would you like to order Maximin Grünhaus wines online?

If available, you'll find the official fact sheet and additional information about this fine wine in the "Attachments" tab. We'll automatically send you these when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount. You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pickup" at the checkout page. We're located in Dordrecht, just off the A16 motorway with ample parking. Click here for our address. You can read the full wine reviews from publications including Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator.

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wine and food pairings

• Asian dishes with lime, chili and ginger – the fresh acidity and light sweetness temper the spicy character.
• Smoked salmon with dill and lemon cream – the wine brings balance and elegance to the rich texture of the fish.
• Goat cheese with honey and rosemary – the wine supports the spicy and creamy notes with its fruity freshness.
• Chicken with lemongrass and coconut – the delicate sweetness of the wine complements the exotic flavours beautifully.
• Apple crumble with almond and lemon zest – the fresh acidity and the soft sweetness provide harmony and finesse.
• Sushi with eel or salmon – the mineral freshness enhances the umami character of the dish.