Some value wines from Austria

WRW
Tasted Saturday, August 9, 2014 - Sunday, August 10, 2014 by Loren Sonkin with 372 views

Introduction

Yesterday, a local wine store was having a tasting of Austrian wines. The distributor, Vintner Select, has a nice catalog although many never seem to make the store shelves. The rep, Owen, is an old friend. Even better, it was a rare Saturday afternoon in which I was free. The wines were tasted in a retail setting, non-blind, over the course of 2 hours. The last wine was one that I brought from my own cellar to add to the tasting just for fun.

Flight 1 (7 Notes)

  • 2013 Weingut Berger Grüner Veltliner 88 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Kremstal

    (8/9/2014)

    This is the one that comes in a 1L bottle. In Ohio its 17, but in the free world, I suspect less. In any event, as always, this is a solid GV. Some hints of lime and minerals on the nose. A bit of green pepper. The nose carries thru to the palate. Refreshing and easy to drink. Dry. Nice wine for a party.

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  • 2013 Nigl Grüner Veltliner Kremser Freiheit 90 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Kremstal

    (8/9/2014)

    I really liked this, but it is still very primary. Nothing wrong with that at $23 Ohio, its a nice refreshing Riesling with plenty of potential to develop. Mineral driven with some lime notes. Nice and clean on the palate.

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  • 2011 Weingut Hirsch Riesling Zöbing 91 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Kamptal

    (8/9/2014)

    I revisited this wine today. I had it a few months ago and for whatever reason, it did not show as well. I scored it 87 and now 91. My tasting note is pretty consistent, but my scoring is now way up. The oily texture is still the highlight of the wine. There is a complex minerality that I did not get the last time. Both times it was in a tasting of many wines, so perhaps it is the circumstances. This is screw capped so I would no expect much bottle variations. There is not a lot of fruit here, but really nice mineral and stones. seems like it has the stuffing to go 20 years. Who know the difference, but for $24, I decided to buy a couple of bottles and see which way I will go with this.

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  • 2013 Heidi Schröck Rosé "Biscaya" 89 Points

    Austria, Burgenland

    (8/9/2014)

    This is interesting. It is pretty big with a fair amount of fruit although not particularly ripe fruit. Its refreshing and more interesting than great. At $22 Ohio, I think I will stick with Provence.

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  • 2012 Sattler St. Laurent 90 Points

    Austria, Burgenland, Neusiedlersee

    (8/10/2014)

    Second time trying this wine and consistent. This is $20 Ohio and a great value. The nose is a bit dusty with dark cherries, plums and chocolate. This is medium bodied and shows some complexity on the palate. Maybe some raspberries as well. Clean with a long finish. Nicely balanced.

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  • 2012 Sattler Zweigelt 88 Points

    Austria, Burgenland

    (8/10/2014)

    Not as good as the St. Laurent, this is still nice. At $22 Ohio, it less of a value but reasonable. Cherries, rhubarb and strawberries on the nose. It does have a green/bell pepper streak. The palate is better than the nose, however, it does come off as a bit generic red wine. I will confess to having less than 20 Zweigelts in my life so perhaps that's unfair. It is a very solid wine that is drinking well right now.

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  • 1999 Weingut Salomon Undhof Riesling Undhof Kögl 91 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Kremstal

    (8/10/2014)

    Consistent with a note I wrote back in 2010. This continues to slowly evolve. The nose is really great. Petrol but still lemons fruit and even a bit of a floral note. Not as developed on the palate. It has some lemons and a slight bitter note. Really nice acidity though. Long finish. I paid $18 back in the day on close out for a bunch of these and that continues to be a great deal.

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