Carl Loewen Riesling Maximin Herrenberg 1896 Alte Reben Trocken 2021

One of the best white wines i’ve ever tasted.

This is a cracking Riesling, which paired nicely with pancetta wrapped around hake with peas and bulgur wheat.

It's a medium-bodied Mosel wine. Medium straw colour and medium intensity on the nose. The acidity is zingy but not over the top. Just the faintest waft of petroleum with citrus, honey, pineapple, apple, and peach. There's an oiliness in the mouth that lingers on with the finish.

The missus also loved this one. A fantastic wine.

Let's try this again for the millionth time. Hyperlink issues that are making me less hyper 🤣

White heavy order as I have a fair few reds at home still. Fingers crossed this goes well.

White wine
Kabola Malvazija Istarska 2022
Mischief and Mayhem Bourgogne Blanc 2021
Scott Peterson ROX Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2020
Zillinger Neuland Organic Gruner Veltliner 2021
Art by EVOI Margaret River Reserve Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2021
Zillinger Kalkvogel Organic 2020
Carl Loewen Riesling Maximin Herrenberg 1896 Alte Reben Trocken 2021
Scott Peterson Brass Tacks California Chardonnay 2020
Nebulo Organic Blanc 2021
Domaine Henri Ruppert Riesling La Selection 12 2019

Red wine
PI Saperavi 2021

Rose wine
Benjamin Darnault Pique Nique Rosé 2022
Sacchetto Pinot Grigio Blush Delle Venezie 2022

Freebie
Johan Kruger x 2 Kruger Family Sauvignon Blanc 2023

This is indeed a momentous review, but more of that later. A few years ago I wouldn’t have touched Riesling with a barge pole: bad experiences with early adventures into wine, allied with bad cheap examples drunk during the 90’s in Paris had stained me.

But then along came Vicky and educated me and the rest is history.

A nose of pineapple chunks, and on the palate I get zingy fresh pear, peach and pineapple. Well-balanced, great mouthfeel, just the right level of acidity and just a perfect match to a well-spiced daal and other accompaniments. I didn’t want this bottle to end it was that good.

Yes it’s expensive, but there are reasons for that and if a wine is this good, you really don’t mind paying extra.

So, momentous? Why? I hear one or two of you ask. Well, I’m stingy with my 5 hearts, and this is definitely number 7 on the list and is the first non-red wine ever to be rewarded with the full house.

Friday 19th January 2024 x 95/100

It’s the Carl Loewen Riesling Maximin Herrenberg 1896 Alte Reben Trocken 2021 for us tonight with a Kashmiri Massala daal, cauliflower steak and other exciting accompaniments.

With our Christmas dinner was the exceptional Carl Loewen Riesling Maximin Herrenberg 1896 Alte Reben Trocken 2021. Nice and crisp with a racey acidity. Cut through the fatty pork and salty gammon a treat.

A scrumptious Riesling that went amazingly well with some dried fruits and nuts, and also a little bit if salami.

Very good. Pronounced nose of lemon, lemon sorbet, overripe apple, pear, peach, melon, mango, almond, marzipan, and spice, all framed in notes of slate. Matching intensity on the palate that balances beautifully against the high acidity and medium alcohol. Medium finish. Off-dry, medium(+) body. Pair it with heavier dishes with a lot of flavour and a bit of spice, e.g., fish curry, vegetable curry, or pork chops in mushroom sauce.

Lovely rieisling.