Tasting Notes - Austria

2000 Kracher TBA No. 9, Scheurebe, Zwischen Den Seen

My father chose this 2000 Scheurebe TBA No. 9 Zwischen Den Seen - a most wise decision on his part, in fact one of his wisest ever. This is a splendidly rich, luscious and powerful wine, that seemingly has a very long future ahead of it. Joyously youthful with a light amber hue, the flavours dance across the palate with gay abandon in a melange of passion fruit, orange and apricot, with hints of a kind of sugary, grapey muscat, and plenty of botrytis. The texture is thick and unctuous, but it is not cloying in any way, fine acidity sees to that. The richness and the high acidity levels mean this wine has lots of places to go from here too - I would love to be able to revisit this powerful, pungent and practically perfect wine in 10 years. Well done dad... (04/10)

2001 FX Pichler RIesling Loibner Steinertal

A very intensely floral nose, with plenty of apples and stone fruit, a touch of kerosene, a hint of lime and gobs of stony minerality - you really can smell the terroir on this one - all of which was reflected on the palate beautifully, which, combined with its full-bodied mouthfeel, fine acidity, a little residual sugar (it stated 'trocken' on the label, but it was definitely off-dry) and very long finish, provided a superlative wine-drinking experience - absolutely outstanding. More please! (04/10)

1998 Heidi Schrock Ruster Ausbruch

Deep amber gold - rich expressive nose of caramel apricot and ginger bread spice, very dense super sweet and rich on the palette, nice autumn savouriness and touch spicy on the very long finish - lovely flavours though felt acidity was lacking a little

2007 Prager Achleiten Smaragd Gruner Veltliner

Bright straw gold colour - restrained nose on caraffing but opened up nicely after half an hour to lemon sherbet, savoury straw and pear - almost chenin like - following through to a med weight lovely balanced wine, fresh but unobtrusive acidity, nice pebbly minerality and very good structure - stone fruit and pear with a subtle spiciness on the finish - not mind blowing at present but very lovely drinking wine

1999 Heidi Shrock, Ruster Ausbruch

The grapes are Sauvignon Blanc and Furmint (not too surprising as this region borders Hungary). This too was a rich, dense wine, very full-bodied with explosive flavours, but very well-integrated with a zesty acidity keeping the wine in perfect harmony. A splendid wine. Unfortunately when I tried to find it on WineSearcher  I discovered it isn't available anywhere. (02/10)

2004 Franz Hirtzberger, Gruner Veltliner, Rotes Tor

It was a lot lighter and less intense than I anticipated it being, there really wasn't too much there when I uncorked it, but with (a lot of) time it did start to express itself very nicely. To start with there were mainly citrus and mineral aromas, but they evolved into lovely peach blossom and honey notes whilst retaining the strong minerality. The palate reflected the nose nicely, citrus and peach, with a little honey and the stony minerality, and also the pepper that is so typical of GV, with nice acidity, followed by a good, long finish. It did take a long time to really open up, and I was left wondering if it was in some strange stage of evolution (thoughts Nahthern?) as it was quite light and reluctant to really express itself fully, though after 4 hours it was getting there. I have another bottle, and I'm going to keep it for a few years to find out in any case. (02/10)

1991 Nikolaihof Vinothek Gruner Veltliner

Intense and expressive nose of honey white pepper and wet stone minerality, developed, rich but very fresh - oak not noticeable which is amazing since this wine spent 15 years in barrique! Just showing immense structure and balance with a lovely texture and bags of character - huge restrained power and great length - a splendid wine.

2007 Hiedler, Gruner Veltliner 'Maximum'

Splendidly rich, full bodied, medium gold-coloured wine; strong nose of melon, peach and apricot and floral aromatics, a hint of pepper and a wet rock minerality; gives the impression of a lush, full wine, which is confirmed on the palate with a creamy texture, balanced acidity and intense flavours, with a long finish. About as big a GV as I have tasted. Will probably keep for 10 years. Outstanding. (03/10)