2009 Riesling Maximin Grünhäuser Abtsberg Auslese

Since the difficult 2006 vintage that this estate managed well, von Schubert has slowly re-emerged from the ashes. The phoenix has perhaps not yet risen to the heights of the '80s and early '90s, when this was one of the finest estates in Germany, but the direction is clearly discernible, with 2009 being the finest collection I have tasted here since the late '90s. Dr. Carl von Schubert and his winemaker Stefan Kraml bottled what may be the finest kabinett of the vintage, as well as an auslese that has few peers. Also recommended: 2009 Maximin Grunhauser Herrenberg Riesling Kabinett Trocken (85), 2009 Maximin Grunhauser Abtsberg Riesling Kabinett Trocken (86), 2009 Maximin Grunhauser Herrenberg Riesling Trocken Alte Reben (87), 2009 Maximin Grunhauser Abtsberg Riesling Alte Reben Trocken (89), 2009 Maximin Grunhauser Herrenberg Riesling Superior Feinherb (87), 2009 Maximin Grunhauser Herrenberg Riesling Spatlese Feinherb (87), 2009 Maximin Grunhauser Brudersberg Riesling (86), 2009 Maximin Grunhauser Herrenberg Riesling Spatlese (89), 2009 Maximin Grunhauser Herrenberg Riesling Auslese (89), 2009 Maximin Grunhauser Abtsberg Riesling Auslese #149 (91), 2009 Maximin Grunhauser Herrenberg Riesling Eiswein (93). Other wines tasted: 2009 Maximin Grunhaus Riesling Trocken, 2009 Maximin Grunhaus Riesling Feinherb. (Valckenberg International, Tulsa, OK)