C. von Schubertsche Schlosskellerei Maximin Grünhäuser Herrenberg Riesling Auslese N°31 1976

C. von Schubert’s Maximin Grünhäuser Herrenberg Riesling Auslese 1976

1. Introduction

The C. von Schubert’s Schlosskellerei Maximin Grünhäuser Herrenberg Riesling Auslese 1976 is one of the legendary noble sweet Rieslings from the Ruwer Valley on the Moselle. It is often referred to as ‘Auslese No. 31’ – a number that refers to the specific barrel or cuvée.

2. The Winery: Maximin Grünhaus (von Schubert)

The Maximin Grünhaus winery looks back on a history stretching back over a thousand years:

• Origins in Roman times

• In 633 AD, King Dagobert I gifted the estates on the Grüneberg to the Monastery of St Maximin in Trier

• In 966, Emperor Otto I confirmed ownership of the estate

• The estate was managed by the Benedictine abbeyuntil 1802

• Following secularisation under Napoleon, the estate passed into secular handsin 1810

• In 1882, Carl Ferdinand von Stumm-Halberg acquired the vineyard as a dowry for his daughter upon her marriage to Conrad von Schubert – it has been in the possession of the von Schubert family ever since

• In 2014, Maximin von Schubert took over the management from his father, Carl-Ferdinand

• Since January 2016, the winery has been a member of the VDP (Association of German Prädikat Wine Estates)

The Schlosskellerei C. von Schubert is one of the region’s most historic estates. The vineyards cover 34 hectares on a steep south-facing slope of the Grüneberg, on red and blue weathered slate soil ( ) – ideal conditions for mineral-rich, long-lived Rieslings.

3. The vineyard: Herrenberg

The estate owns three contiguous monopole sites – Abtsberg, Herrenberg and Bruderberg – all of which are classified as VDP.Grosse Lage.

Historically, the Herrenberg was the vineyard whose produce was intended for the choir masters (‘Herren’) of the monastery. The site is characterised by:

• Steep, south-facing slopes

• Slate soils, which are responsible for the wines’ typical minerality and spice

• Outstanding suitability for long-lived Rieslings with great ageing potential

4. The 1976 vintage

The 1976 vintage saw an exceptionally hot and dry summer on the Moselle , which produced concentrated, extract-rich wines with a high sugar content . This was an excellent year for noble sweet Auslese wines, as the grapes enjoyed optimal ripening conditions.

5. Auslese No. 31 – Technical Details

6. Market and auction data

The 1976 Herrenberg Auslese is a rare collector’s item and is priced accordingly:

7. Evaluation and drinking window

Specific tasting notes for the 1976 Herrenberg Auslese No. 31 are not explicitly documented in the sources consulted. Nevertheless, the following observations can be made:

• General characteristics of Maximin-Grünhäuser Rieslings: spicy, with a mineral character influenced by the slate soil

• Auslese wines from the von Schubert estate possess exceptional ageing potential

• The 1976 vintage is considered concentrated and rich in extract – ideal conditions for decades of ageing

• Halfa century after the harvest, the wine has now reached its full maturity

The high sweetness (approx. 8% alcohol suggests a high residual sugar content) and the pronounced acidity of the Ruwer Rieslings guarantee impressive freshness and complexity even after almost 50 years.

8. Conclusion

The C. von Schubertsche Schlosskellerei Maximin Grünhäuser Herrenberg Riesling Auslese 1976 (No. 31) is an exceptional, historic Riesling from one of the Mosel’s most renowned estates. With over 1,000 years of winemaking history behind it, a first-class vineyard site on slate soils and an ideal vintage, this wine combines all the ingredients for an exciting experience for both collectors and connoisseurs.

Its rarity and the continuing high demand are reflected in the prices. For lovers of mature German Rieslings ,this is a wine of legendary status that impressively embodies the craftsmanship and tradition of the von Schubert family.