Vintage Character The 1990 Müller‑Catoir Mussbacher Eselshaut Rieslaner Trockenbeerenauslese is a benchmark German sweet wine, renowned for its extraordinary richness and crystalline balance. The 1990 vintage in Germany was excellent, marked by a warm summer and favorable autumn that encouraged the development of noble rot, resulting in wines of great concentration, purity, and longevity. This Trockenbeerenauslese, made from the rare Rieslaner grape in the famed Mussbacher Eselshaut vineyard in the Pfalz, reveals an opulent bouquet of dried apricot, candied orange peel, honey, and exotic spice, lifted by floral and mineral nuances.
Tasting Profile & Food Pairing The palate is unctuous and layered, with flavors of tropical fruit, caramel, and citrus zest, yet Rieslaner’s naturally high acidity ensures freshness and precision. The finish is exceptionally long and honeyed, making it a superb match for foie gras, Roquefort cheese, or a delicate Chinese pairing such as almond tofu dessert, where its sweetness and acidity create perfect harmony.
Winery Background Müller‑Catoir, founded in 1774 and still family‑owned, is based in Neustadt in the Pfalz and today led by Philipp David Catoir.
The estate is celebrated for its organic farming, meticulous vineyard management, and precision winemaking, producing wines that emphasize purity, elegance, and terroir expression. While Riesling is its flagship variety, Müller‑Catoir has also become a benchmark producer of Rieslaner, a cross between Riesling and Silvaner that excels in botrytized dessert wines. The Mussbacher Eselshaut vineyard, with its sandy loam soils and favorable microclimate, is particularly suited to late‑harvest and noble‑rot styles, and the domaine has long been recognized as one of the greatest producers of Trockenbeerenauslese. The 1990 Rieslaner TBA stands as a testament to the estate’s philosophy of crafting wines of both intensity and finesse, capable of aging gracefully for decades.