Review: Obsthof-am-Steinberg, Muskatrenette (Späte Ernte) 2011
Name: Muskatrenette (Späte Ernte) 2011
Producer: Obsthof-am-Steinberg, Andreas Schneider
Region: Frankfurt (Nieder-Erlenbach), Hessen. Germany
Style: Single Varietal (sortenreiner), Premium Still Apfelwein (German cider)
Type: Dry/Semi-dry (trocken/halb)
Bottle: 750ml (wine bottle)
Alcohol: 7.0%
The Muskatrenette from Obsthof-am-Steinberg is an organically certified, single varietal apfelwein (German cider) presented in 750ml riesling-style bottle. Of note is the apple variety which originally came from France or Holland but was grown and developed in England and is related to the Cox. Furthermore, the apples are late picked which adds a further dimension to the apfelwein.
(Image source: www.obstsortendatenbank.de)
In the glass it the palest of pale yellow and very still without the slightest natural effervescence.
The aroma is extremely light, bordering on undetectable, with only a hint of sweetness.
On tasting, however, there is an abundance of fruit, with fresh apples, and a roundness resulting from a good balance between acidity and residual sugar. Keep in mind that this is a dry style apfelwein but there may be a touch more sweetness due to the late harvest of the apples. It is heavy on the middle palate, while the finish is much lighter but with a long lasting intensity coming from the underlying acidity which is hidden but still present.
Overall, this is a great apfelwein which, somehow, feels festive… perhaps because of its round character and the blaze of yellow and gold on the label.
I tasted the Muskatrenette (Späte Ernte) 2011 with my friend Eduardo, so you can find a Spanish language review here. A version in English is also available here.
