Mosel Riesling Kabinett: Slightly off-dry and balanced by electric acidity, softened with a touch of sweetness. These wines offer superb value, are naturally low in alcohol (7.5%) and have the ability to age better than most dry wines. ‘They are Germany’s unique gift to the world’s wine drinkers,’ wrote Jancis Robinson recently.
In general, Kabinett wines are light-footed and floral, with incredibly pure fruit, zest and minerality. They pair beautifully with food – whether at home or in a restaurant. Today we’re offering three of the best! The magician from the Mosel, Markus Molitor, Germany’s biodynamic godfather Clemens Busch, and cult favourite Willi Schaefer.
‘Such length, purity and exquisite balance are disarming’ wrote Vinous about the Willi Schaefer, but this can be said for all three.
For just R365, the Markus Molitor Kinheimer Rosenberg Kabinett 2020 is ‘fascinating and fantastic’. Pure and flinty with a salty finish – it’s a ‘gorgeous, super balanced and seductive’ (WA) wine.
Clemens Busch’s Marienburg Kabinett 2023 is fresh and multi-layered, ‘with a skilful acidity-sweetness interplay and great drinking pleasure’ (Fallstaff).
Finally, the 96-point Willi Schaefer Graacher Himmelreich Kabinett AP 02 2023 is sure to blow your mind. It’s intense and complex, ‘with ripe, elegant, juicy fruit’ and an ‘ethereal slate thread that gives this Kabinett an enormous length and animation,’ says the Wine Advocate.
Jancis calls Kabinetts ‘the naturally-low-alcohol, underpriced marvel.’ And on her advice, ‘Fill your boots!’
View our full Riesling range here >
Tasting Notes:
Markus Molitor Kinheimer Rosenberg Kabinett 2020
‘The 2020 Riesling Kinheimer Rosenberg Kabinett (Golden Capsule) is fascinating, pure and flinty on the clear and aromatic yet still nicely reductive nose. Lush and refined on the palate, this is a gorgeous, super balanced and seductive Rosenberg with superbly fine salinity on the finish. A fantastic Kabinett! 7.5% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted at the domaine in July 2022.’ – Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate, 92/100
Clemens Busch Marienburg Kabinett 2023
‘Dominant sweetness right now, but balanced in and of itself. Lively, fresh peach and meadow herbs. Mouth-watering candied-lemon opulence. Pretty, elegant and approachable despite its fresh bottling (three days prior to tasting). 2025-2035’ – Paula Redes Sidore, jancisrobinson.com, 16.5+/20
Willi Schaefer Graacher Himmelreich Kabinett AP 02 2023
‘The 2023 Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett opens with substantial depth and a brilliant bouquet of wet slate. The fruit is intense but not dominating, thanks to the flintiness and savoriness of the Himmelreich terroir. On the palate, this is a mouth-filling, dense and complex Kabinett with ripe, elegant and juicy fruit intertwined with very fine phenols and an ethereal slate thread that gives this Kabinett an enormous length and animation. This will be a superb gastronomic wine after a decade of bottle age, although the 2023 already drinks beautifully today. 7.5% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted at the domaine in August 2024 from AP 2 24. 2024-2055’ – Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate, 96/100
