WTN: von Schubert Theater

On successive nights, two levels from this storied monopole.

2007 von Schubert Maximin Grünhäuser Riesling MSR QbA Trocken 10.0%
Lovely wet slate, buttery lime and white flower näse. Very light spritz, ripe body, adequate acid/sweet balance (could use a touch more acid), ending with pleasant tartness. Gushy fun, with a serious streak that converts fun into pleasure. At less than $14, can’t imagine many better QPRs.

2007 von Schubert Maximin Grünhäuser Abtsberg Spätlese MSR 8.5% AP 3 536 014-29-08
Lush floral nose, augmented retronasally by yummy grapefruit and peach. Not as minerally as the QbA. Before food, strong acidity upfront, but opulent, honeyed sweetness catches up my mid-palate and overwhelms it in the finish. With food, the acidity subsides further, but the fruit is so rich and stately that I quit quibbling and revel. Pedigree chow.

2007 von Schubert Maximin Grünhäuser Riesling MSR QbA Trocken 10.0%(could use a touch more acid)...

Interesting. I have one more bottle of the 07 Abtsberg Spätlese trocken but was hesitant to open it because the last time I opened a bottle the problem was definitely not a lack of acid. Rather, it was boringly tart. At least to me.

This one of my favourite German estates, which I have visited three or four times. Such elegant wines .Carl von Schubert was a visitor at a recent tasting near here and, for me, was the star of an otherwise worthy but not very inspiring bunch. You remind me that I should write it up; his contribution at least.

2007 von Schubert Maximin Grünhäuser Riesling MSR QbA Trocken 10.0%(could use a touch more acid)...

Interesting. I have one more bottle of the 07 Abtsberg Spätlese trocken but was hesitant to open it because the last time I opened a bottle the problem was definitely not a lack of acid. Rather, it was boringly tart. At least to me.

You quoted from the QbA to comment on the Spätlese, which seemed to have more acid than the QbA, at least upfront... I dug the tartness. If it didn't require a trip to the Loire, I'd propose a swap.

This one of my favourite German estates, which I have visited three or four times. Such elegant wines .Carl von Schubert was a visitor at a recent tasting near here and, for me, was the star of an otherwise worthy but not very inspiring bunch. You remind me that I should write it up; his contribution at least.

Curious to hear your take on the 07s, if they were part of the tasting.

Curious to hear your take on the 07s, if they were part of the tasting.

He only showed one, a Herrenberg Kabinett trocken, and my manuscript note says "Delicate, crisp, fragrant". I came back from his place in successive years with assorted dozens of both of 2007s and 2008s. I thought what I tasted there in the first year was delicious in different styles, 08 being notably crisper in higher in acidity. An 07 Kabinett at home was delicious about 18 months ago but I can't recall opening many since because I am concerned about their being in a closed phase.

Will look for the 08s, then, since the slight lack of acidity that was my only (minor) complaint may not be present there... Do you know if they inhibit malos with SO2?

[David M. Bueker]

Inhibition of malo is a filtration process to get all the little bugs out Oswaldo. The SO2 is a preservative and insurance against refermentation should any little guys still be in the bottle. This is pretty standard practice in German Riesling.

Inhibition of malo is a filtration process to get all the little bugs out Oswaldo. The SO2 is a preservative and insurance against refermentation should any little guys still be in the bottle. This is pretty standard practice in German Riesling.

Interesting, I had understood that the average German riesling gets more SO2 (than, say, the average French white) for the express purpose of inhibiting malos to keep the acidity high enough to counter the higher rs.

[David M. Bueker]

The filtration is the primary mechanism for preventing further fermentations. SO2 is a necessary security blanket.

German Riesling is that lovely creature that dispels many dogmatic myths, though some are grabbing at dogma in an effort to salvage worthy producers/sites that have sadly fallen off the public's radar.

David, I take it you're not a huge fan of this producer, since I don't find any recent notes of yours on them. Salil likewise.

You quoted from the QbA to comment on the Spätlese, which seemed to have more acid than the QbA, at least upfront...

I might have thought otherwise, but nice that these bottles are being opened..

[David M. Bueker]

David, I take it you're not a huge fan of this producer, since I don't find any recent notes of yours on them. Salil likewise.

Actually Oswaldo, we're both big fans, but for myself I prefer the wines with a lot of bottle age, so young ones rarely get opened. There's a note on an '83 Auslese lurking about from December. I am not thinking of opening the bulk of my 2001s for at least 10 more years.

We pulled the cork on the '97 Abstberg Spaetlese recently with great anticipation, but were fairly disappointed. Fairly deep gold, petrol and apple juice. Nice, but not much to get excited about. Storage at 55F since release, too. Oh well, I hope the '01 is better.....

Shame about your '97. The last one I had recently wasn't much better - opened the '97 Herrenberg Auslese with David and Laura Bueker some time ago, which certainly had stuffing and a sense of nice acidity - except that it was corked. [Though your bottle certainly doesn't sound like what I'd imagine to be representative - David B. had also opened a '97 Herrenberg Kabinett for me a while ago that was fantastic.]

Oswaldo, I will happily drink Grunhaus any time - my issue is that I don't see it often in a price range I'd be happy with - Crush had some '06 Abtsberg Spatlese for $19 a year+ ago and the aforementioned '97 Herrenberg Auslese, both of which I bought - otherwise most of my German buying has been mostly from the same three merchants whose inventories tend to lean towards mostly Theise, Wiest and Mosel Wine Merchants imports (with the other odd stuff Crush brings in occasionally). I really enjoy the wines, but don't 'miss' having them in my cellar - as there are so many other fine names around Germany at comparable quality that I buy instead.