The Maximin Grünhaus 'Abtsberg' vineyard is classified as a VDP. Grosse Lage, designating it as one of the best in Germany which produce wines particularly expressive of their site and with exceptional ageing potential. The Abtsberg is the most famous and steepest vineyard of the estate, grown on soils composed of blue Devonian slate. The hillside runs south-east to south-west, achieving a gradient of up to 70% which requires laborious hand harvesting. The Abtsberg is located directly outside the castle Maximin Grünhaus and wines harvested from this vineyard are among the longest-lived Rieslings of the region. Grosses Gewächs is the term for the highest quality dry wines produced at a Grosse Lage (top classified) vineyard. The best grapes from the Abtsberg vineyard were carefully picked and selected by hand. As the cellar is situated minutes from the vineyards, the grapes were quickly pressed in a pneumatic press in order to retain their aromatic and fresh fruit characters. The must was then fermented with indigenous yeasts in Fuders, classic Mosel 1,000-litre oak casks made from wood sourced from the estate’s own forest by local coopers. On the nose, aromas of apricot, peach and yellow apple are complemented by notes of wet stone, wild herbs and green tea. The palate is elegant and precise, boasting ripe fruit flavours in perfect harmony with a delicate acidity and salty minerality.