Monzinger, Riesling, Kabinett, 2018
Frank’s Kabinett comes from a south facing stony part of the Fruhlingsplatzen vineyard, one that despite its orientation is harvested a week later the rest of the vineyard. Its position at the foot of the vineyard negates any of the warm updraft the top spots receive. Red apple skin and salty easy fruit salad come together in this easy drinking, moreish Kabinett.
critic reviews
This wine’s 10% alcohol is a tip-off not just to its modest level of residual sugar but also to the extreme ripeness of the 2018 vintage, which, as Schönleber acknowledged, represented a challenge to the Kabinett genre. It was picked in the last days of September. It manages in fact to display more than enough delicacy and refreshment to justify its labeling. Lightly poached white peach mingles alluringly with lemon cream on both the nose and the polished palate. Lime and grapefruit add juiciness to a sustained finish that manages to sooth and stimulate, not to mention refresh.
Coming with 10% alcohol and moderate sweetness that is balanced by mineral grip and lively acidity, Schonleber's 2018 Monzinger Riesling Kabinett is crystalline clear and aromatic on the elegant, refined and spicy nose. Ripe, round and lush on the palate, with animating piquancy, this is an old-style, medium-sweet Kabinett with great finesse, gripping structure and lingering salinity and some creaminess on the finish. Not as fascinating as the 2017 that I tasted side by side in August 2019.