Visits in the Wachau and Kamptal

In and around the Wachau and Kamptal, Lower Austria
Tasted Wednesday, October 4, 2023 - Thursday, October 5, 2023 by KeithAkers with 60 views

Introduction

I finally got my opportunity to visit a handful of Austrian producers. I did catch this right around the time of harvest so I wasn't able to get every last producer I wanted, but I did manage to get in some real great visits at some of my favorite wineries.

Flight 1 - Hirtzberger visit (8 Notes)

This was my first visit and right in the morning. I actually caught them on their first day of harvest, so I was deeply thankful that they had time for me.

  • 2022 Franz Hirtzberger Grüner Veltliner Federspiel Rotes Tor 88 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau

    (10/4/2023)

    The nose is succulent and upfront with peaches, snow peas, nectarines, green apples, pears, peppery notes, herbs, yellow flowers, and some mineral tones. The Medium bodied feel is balanced, but lacks some depth with crisp, medium+ acidity. The acidity is mouthwatering and integrated while the nose also lacks just a bit of depth. This is a great starter Gruner and a fun way to kick off my visit!

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  • 2022 Franz Hirtzberger Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Axpoint 90 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau

    (10/4/2023)

    This shows off more depth with a succulent side to it along with nectarines, apple crisp, pears, fresh herbs, yellow flowers, a Touch of biscuits, and some racy mineral notes. The Medium/full bodied feel has a plushness to it along with tart, medium+ acidity. This is a clear step up from the rotes tor and a Gruner that could well use a few years to fully settle in.

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  • 2022 Franz Hirtzberger Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Honivogl 93 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau

    (10/4/2023)

    The nose is deep and succulent right away as it shows off layered tones of lemon drop, nectarines, peaches, cinnamon, yellow flowers, stone fruits, mineral notes, crushed rocks, fresh herbs, and a touch of white pepper. This is a nose you can easily get lost in. There is so much going on that it does take a little bit to really get it all. The Full bodied feel is plush and polished with racy, high acidity. This is a sexy beast. There is a ton going on and it is all showing so well already. That said, there is still room for this to grow and I would love to see what happens when it sheds some of its baby fat.

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  • 2022 Franz Hirtzberger Weissburgunder Smaragd 89 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau

    (10/4/2023)

    The nose is lifted and fresh with white peaches, pears, saline, green apples, lemon peels, white fruits, and some acacia flowers. There is good complexity here, but the tones don’t really have too much depth behind them. The Medium bodied feel is balanced and fresh with racy, high acidity. This is a fun and delicious Weissburgunder. It shows a bit more than I expected, but it is still limited by what the grape here can actually do.

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  • 2022 Franz Hirtzberger Grauburgunder Smaragd Pluris 89 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau

    (10/4/2023)

    The nose is fresh and fragrant with tones of lemon peels, peaches, white fruits, rose petals, crushed rocks, and some white flowers. This is very different for me and also fairly intriguing. It does lack some depth on the nose that would otherwise really make this, but I do like what I'm smelling. The Medium bodied feel is balanced and fresh with tart, high acidity. This is a fun wine that is a good changeup from what I've otherwise had. That said, it's good for a data point and then moving on.

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  • 2022 Franz Hirtzberger Riesling Smaragd Setzberg 92 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau

    (10/4/2023)

    This was aromatic and intriguing right away with tones of lemon oil, spiced pears, nectarines, green apples, elderflowers, daffodils, and some mineral notes. There is a real lovely, underlying tension that keeps bringing me back to the glass that I'm really enjoying. The Medium bodied feel is deft and balanced with lipsmacking, high acidity and good length to the finish.

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  • 2022 Franz Hirtzberger Riesling Smaragd Steinporz 93 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau

    (10/4/2023)

    This was the definition of mineral-driven tension for me and I love it! The nose has excellent balance and depth with peaches, crushed rocks, saline, lemon zest, white fruits, white flowers, and a good bit of green apples. The Medium bodied feel shows off great texture and balance with racy, high acidity that has a real lovely taught quality along with a lengthy finish. This wine was just killer! If you want it in its purest form, it is great right now. If you want more development, it can and will certainly bring that with at least another 3-5+ years of aging.

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  • 2022 Franz Hirtzberger Riesling Smaragd Singerriedel 94 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau

    (10/4/2023)

    This is riesling that goes to 11! There is a lot of intensity at the moment as the tones of white peaches, papaya, lemon peels, white fruits, crushed rocks, elderflower, saline, jasmine, and green apples are all fighting for attention. There is a ton of depth here that makes you keep going back to the glass time and time again. The Medium bodied feel is balanced and fresh with crisp, high acidity that is all backed up by an extremely lengthy finish. This is a baby that really need at least a few years to fully settle into itself. There is a ton to like though as it shows all of the hallmarks of a great Riesling right now. This was a real treat and a great way to end a wonderful visit at Hirtzberger.

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Flight 2 - Domane Wachau visit (11 Notes)

This was a whirlwind visit going through the cellars and then tasting through their entire lineup!

  • 2022 Freie Weingärtner Wachau / Domäne Wachau Grüner Veltliner Terrassen Federspiel 87 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau

    (10/4/2023)

    The nose is fresh and aromatic with pears, peaches, green apples, white fruits, flowers, and some juicy citrus notes. This is fragrant and balanced, but it lacks some depth and comes off as a bit simple. The Medium bodied feel carries through the balance of the nose with crisp, medium+ acidity. This is a fun, starter Gruner that hits the notes it needs to hit and not much more.

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  • 2022 Freie Weingärtner Wachau / Domäne Wachau Grüner Veltliner Federspiel Ried Liebenberg 88 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau

    (10/4/2023)

    This shows off more of a mineral and salinic style to it with crushed rocks and saline along with lemon peels, green apples, pears, spice notes, fresh herbs, white flowers, and some citrus notes. The Medium bodied feel is balanced and fresh with crisp, medium+ acidity. This is a slight step up from the Terrassen, but no too much more. It's a fairly straightforward and begnin Gruner that does the job it needs to do.

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  • 2022 Freie Weingärtner Wachau / Domäne Wachau Riesling Federspiel Bruck 90 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau

    (10/4/2023)

    The nose has a fresh and linear quality that is enticing and aromatic with stone fruits, flinty notes, sweet lemons, pears, green apples, saline, white fruits, and some white flowers. This is really fun to smell even if the tones are more sitting on the surface at the moment. The Medium bodied feel is lively and fresh with tart, high acidity that really makes your mouth water. This is a very good Austrian Riesling that shows off some lines and tension. It does lack a bit of depth, otherwise it is really fun and joyful to drink.

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  • 2022 Freie Weingärtner Wachau / Domäne Wachau Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Axpoint 91 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau

    (10/4/2023)

    Ahhh, now we're getting into the Smaragd wines. There is a bit of extra seriousness here with classic notes of snow peas, fresh herbs, lemon peels, peaches, crushed rocks, white flowers, and nectarines. This shows off the extra depth that was lacking on the federspiels. The Medium bodied feel is balanced and silky with racy, high acidity. This is pretty darned good! I love the more classic take here with the slightly herbal tinge to the wine.

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  • 2022 Freie Weingärtner Wachau / Domäne Wachau Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Ried Kellerberg 91 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau

    (10/4/2023)

    This shows a more sunny take to Gruner with white peaches, lemon peels, green apples, saline, pears, white fruits, and some white florals. This is a bit different, but still fresh and lively with good depth to the nose. The Medium bodied feel carries over that freshness and sunny qualities with crisp, high acidity. This is a bit different from the Ax Point and leans more into the citrus flavors of the grape. This feels like it's much more for drinking now than one to age.

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  • 2022 Freie Weingärtner Wachau / Domäne Wachau Riesling Smaragd Singerriedel 91 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau

    (10/4/2023)

    The nose is expressive and fresh with tones of meyer lemons, apples, bosc pears, crushed rocks, nectarines, white flowers, saline, and crushed rocks. The Medium bodied feel is well balanced and textured with racy, high acidity that is beautifully mouthwatering. This shows off very good depth with that expressiveness also showing through on the feel. This could possibly use a few more years to fully come together, but it is really lovely right now.

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  • 2022 Freie Weingärtner Wachau / Domäne Wachau Riesling Smaragd Achleiten 91 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau

    (10/4/2023)

    This shows off a linear and fresh quality with green and red apples, saline, crushed rocks, white fruits, elderflower, lemon peels, and white flowers. This shows off good depth and freshness with a real pristine quality. The Medium bodied feel is fresh and balanced with tart, high acidity. The acidity still has a bit of sting while the finsh has a bit of length. This could likely benefit from a few years of aging just to let it all balance out a bit more.

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  • 2022 Freie Weingärtner Wachau / Domäne Wachau Müller-Thurgau MTX 88 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau

    (10/4/2023)

    This is a unique and extremely intriguing Muller-Thurgau. It is raised in concrete egg with no added Sulphur and uses spontaneous fermentation. It shows off distinct tones of nectarines, bosc pears, vanilla beans, yellow flowers, and candied lemons. The Medium bodied feel is textured and balanced with crisp, medium+ acidity. This is a real cool and interesting wine to drink. In some ways, it is a bit more of a data point and fun one-off than anything I'd seek out, but I'm also very happy that I got to try it.

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  • 2022 Freie Weingärtner Wachau / Domäne Wachau Grüner Veltliner Steinwerk Spitzer Graben 91 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau

    (10/4/2023)

    The nose is aromatic and balanced with flowing tones of nectarines, bosc pears, crushed rocks, red apples, meyer lemons, saline, yellow flowers, and some snow pea notes. There is good depth and style here with a balanced Medium bodied feel and tart, medium+ acidity. This is a fun and different interpretation of Gruner. It shows more of a savory side than immediate quality that provides a good changeup.

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  • 2022 Freie Weingärtner Wachau / Domäne Wachau Gemischter Satz Uralt-Reben Smaragd 85 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau

    (10/4/2023)

    The nose is lifted and balanced with pears, apples, elderflowers, straw notes, and vanilla beans. The tones are nice and inoffensive, but they really lack depth. The Medium bodied feel is balanced with crisp, medium acidity. This is fine. The word inoffensive keeps flashing through my mind here. I wouldn't turn this down btg at some cafe, but I wouldn't seek it out.

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  • 2021 Freie Weingärtner Wachau / Domäne Wachau Riesling Amphora 92 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau

    (10/4/2023)

    To say that I'm intrigued by this is an understatement. There is a lot going on here that it's hard to pin down with all sorts of apples, nectarines, kumquat, papaya, mango, orange blossoms, white flowers, mineral notes, and pears. The Medium bodied feel shows off a lot of texture and balance with racy, high acidity. This is a real cool and intriguing take on Riesling. It's one that I'm a little surprised by, but it works and I'm really glad I had a chance to taste it.

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Flight 3 - Nikolaihof visit (10 Notes)

This was fairly informal and at their wine bar. A lot of fun and really laid back, count me as a fan!

  • 2022 Nikolaihof Grüner Veltliner "Zwickl" 84 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau

    (10/4/2023)

    The nose is intriguing (and not necessarily in the best ways) with a distinct cider-y note that strikes upfront along with red and green apples, peaches, meyer lemons, banana peel, and some yellow flowers. The Medium bodied feel is balanced with crisp, medium+ acidity. The odd flavors from the nose are also present on the palate. I'm not sure this is flawed winemaking or what is going on here. It's nice enough, but the banana and cider notes are a bit wonky for me while the rest is fairly pleasant.

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  • 2022 Nikolaihof Grüner Veltliner Federspiel 88 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau

    (10/4/2023)

    This is much better and right in the pocket with balanced tones of jasmine, peaches, nectarines, red apples lemon peels, fresh herbs, and crushed rock notes. The Medium bodied feel carries through the balance of the nose with good complexity and tart, medium+ acidity. This is much more my style than the Zwickl and is a solid, straightforward Gruner.

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  • 2018 Nikolaihof Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Im Weingebirge 87 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau

    (10/4/2023)

    There is a distinct custardy note that has me a little confused at first that then peels away into notes of nectarines, pears, herbs, elderflowers, apples, and some mineral notes. The nose is a bit simple but it is straightforward with good balance. The Medium bodied feel shows off the balance of the nose with crisp, medium+ acidity. This is a fun and balanced Gruner that has an odd mlf-driven note at first, but thankfully it doesn't stay there.

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  • 2022 Nikolaihof Riesling Federspiel 88 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau

    (10/4/2023)

    The nose is straightforward and balanced with green apples, peaches, white fruits, papaya, elderflowers, banana notes, and some mineral tones as well to round it out. The Medium bodied feel is balanced and deft with tart, high acidity. The acidity is mouthwatering and refreshing with the balance and straightforward nature of the nose carrying through on the palate. This is a decent enough, but somewhat forgettable Riesling. It's fine, but not much more.

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  • 2016 Nikolaihof Riesling Federspiel Late Release 89 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau

    (10/4/2023)

    The nose is intriguing with tones of nectarines, red apples, bosc pears, toasty notes, yellow flowers, and some creamed peaches. The Medium bodied feel has a lot of texture and poise with tart, medium+ acidity that really makes your mouth water. This is a slightly different take to Riesling that I welcome drinking. That said, it does feel a bit limited and lacks in some areas that would really make me want to drink it a lot more.

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  • 2019 Nikolaihof Riesling Federspiel Vom Stein 91 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau

    (10/4/2023)

    The nose is fresh and lively with tones of lemon peels, apples, mineral notes, white fruits, saline, nectarines, acacia flowers, and pears. There is excellent balance with a real deftness that I'm enjoying. The Medium bodied feel shows off the liveliness of the nose with tart, high acidity. This is just a flat out fun Riesling that hits every note you want it to. There is good balance on the nose and palate with just the right amount of freshness and salinity that I love.

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  • 2017 Nikolaihof Riesling Reserve Steiner Hund 92 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau

    (10/4/2023)

    From the first whiff, this is a real step up from the other wines poured. There is excellent depth and poise as it gets perfumed with tones of lemon peels, peaches, flinty notes, crushed rocks, apples, nectarines, and loads of white flowers. The Medium bodied feel shows some lovely, extra weight and seriousness along with tart, high acidity. This is a real delicious and beautiful Riesling that is drinking well now and can easily develop for years to come.

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  • 2016 Nikolaihof Riesling Privatreserve Klause Am Berg Riesling

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau

    (10/4/2023)

    This was a bit bruised up when I got to it. I think this is one to try right at the beginning of the day or with a fresh bottle, but I was there right at the end of the day and would've felt like an ass asking them to open a fresh bottle then. c'est la vie.

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  • 2022 Nikolaihof Neuburger 86 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau

    (10/4/2023)

    I'm not sure at all what to make of this wine. The cider note is bothersome, but there is more going on with pears, apples, kumquat, nectarines, and nutmeg spices. The Medium bodied feel is balanced with tart, high acidity. This is an intriguing wine if anything to try something new. Past that, I wouldn't have remembered it if I didn't have a note written.

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  • 2015 Nikolaihof Riesling Im Weingebirge "Baumpresse" 93 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau

    (10/4/2023)

    This spent 6 years in barrel and it makes for an entirely different Riesling experience. This is very complex and aromatic with nectarines, pears, red apples, meyer lemons, oil notes, peaches, and a touch of custard with some yellow flowers. There is excellent depth here and a real sense of style while the tones aren't necessarily exuberant like one may expect. The Medium bodied feel is balanced and poised with tart, high acidity and a lengthy finish. This is a flat out lovely Riesling like I can't really think of. There is a real unique style that I'm loving and it was a real joy to drink this (so much so I bought a bottle right then and there).

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Flight 4 - Domaine Ott (12 Notes)

I caught them right on the tail end of harvest and even got to chat with Bernhard for a bit!

  • 2022 Bernhard Ott Rosalie 86 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich

    (10/5/2023)

    The nose is fresh and lifted with tones of citrus, watermelons, berries, white fruits, red flowers, and pears. There is good balance, but it does lack some depth. The medium body carries over the balance of the nose with crisp, medium plus acidity. This is a fun and easy, drinking rosé that hits all the notes it needs to hit.

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  • 2022 Bernhard Ott Cuvée Spectrum 86 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Wagram

    (10/5/2023)

    The nose is fresh and forward with tones of peaches, pineapple, white fruits, tropical citrus, green apples, flowers, and some stone fruits. The medium body is balanced with crisp acidity. This is a fun and interesting bland shows off a good mixture of fresh Citrus tones with a touch of tropical notes.

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  • 2022 Bernhard Ott Grüner Veltliner Am Berg 88 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Wagram

    (10/5/2023)

    There’s a distinct tropical note that stretch right away, some pineapple tones, along with white peaches, nectarines, snow peas, pears, green apples, and white floral. The sake Runner that leans more into citrus flavors than herbal and savory flavors, while showing good balance, and a fresh style. The medium body feel carries through the balance of the nose along with tart, high acidity. This is a good introduction Gruner from Ott and is very easy drinking.

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  • 2022 Bernhard Ott Grüner Veltliner Faß 4 89 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Wagram

    (10/5/2023)

    Right away the shows classic Gruner notes with a lot of fresh green herbs and some snow peas backed up by citrus notes of peaches, pears, white fruits, sand, lean, lemon, peels, jasmine, and some mineral notes. The medium body field has good texture along with tart, high acidity. The shows well already is easy drinking. It’s probably not meant for long aging.

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  • 2022 Bernhard Ott Grüner Veltliner Der Ott 91 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Wagram

    (10/5/2023)

    The nose shows off excellent complexity and fragrance with succulent tones of nectarines, spiced pears, crushed rocks, peaches, fresh herbs, spice notes, candied lemons, and some spring floral tones. There is good depth and balance here with the nose straddling the line between the more herbal side of Gruner and the more citrus-y side. The Medium bodied feel carries through the balance of the nose while leaning more into the juciness of the fruit along with racy, high acidity. This is a clear step up from the other Ott wines as it shows more depth and complexity than what came before it. I would like to see what this is like after a few years when it settles into itself a bit better.

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  • 2021 Bernhard Ott Grüner Veltliner 1ÖTW Ried Spiegel 93 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Wagram

    (10/5/2023)

    The nose is intriguing and complex as it fills the glass with quince, nectarines, peaches, spice notes, saline, minerals, pears, red apples, jasmine, and acacia flowers. There is a real succulent and slightly introverted quality to the nose that keeps drawing me back in repeatedly. The Medium bodied feel is balanced and textured with fresh, high acidity. This shows off a very different side to what has been tasted already and I'm here for it. I found this very inviting and intriguing while still showing off many of the qualities in Gruner that I really enjoy.

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  • 2021 Bernhard Ott Grüner Veltliner Ried Kirchthal 93 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Wagram

    (10/5/2023)

    The nose is heady and perfumed with flowing tones of meyer lemons, apples, jasmine, orange blossoms, peaches, crushed rocks, pears, white fruits, saline, and some acaica flowers. There is so much depth and poise here that it is easy to get lost in the glass. The Medium bodied feel is deft and refined with the depth and complexity of the nose carrying through along with mouthwatering, high acidity. This is a stunner of a wine. We are clearly in the A-category of Ott's wines and this is one that ticks every single box for me.

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  • 2021 Bernhard Ott Grüner Veltliner 1ÖTW Ried Stein 93 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Kamptal

    (10/5/2023)

    There is an opulent quality to the nose that works really well in contrast to the other wines tasted. This shows off excellent depth and definition with nectarines, crushed rocks, orange blossoms, red apples, vanilla beans, pears, fresh herbs, and some acacia flower notes. The Medium bodied feel is textured and silky with tart, high acidity. This has a bit of extra heft to it compared to others in the lineup that I really dig. This does feel like a few years would really do it some good and I'm very confident that it will reach even higher than it is now.

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  • 2021 Bernhard Ott Grüner Veltliner 1ÖTW Rosenberg 92 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Wagram

    (10/5/2023)

    The nose is very spring-like with fresh and lively tones of peaches, nectarines, fresh herbs, acacia flowers, white fruits, white florals, nutmeg spices, saline, crushed rocks, and lemon peels. There is good depth with a laid back quality to the fruit. The Medium bodied feel shows off the freshness of the nose with racy, high acidity. This feels like it could benefit from another few years of aging to let it fully shine. I really like the spring season qualities to it, but it feels like it is holding back just a smidge at the moment.

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  • 2021 Bernhard Ott Riesling Ried Kirchthal 94 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Wagram

    (10/5/2023)

    And now for a change up from all of the Gruner. I had to reset myself just to make sure that I wasn't responding to the change up and was just evaluating the wine. With all of that said, this is real. This was absolutely pristine and fresh with a lot of depth and class to the tones of white fruits, crushed rocks, saline, green apples, pears, white flowers, lemon peels, apple blossoms, white peaches, and white flowers. This is a wonderland of white fruits on the nose that really hits me in all of the places I love. The Medium bodied feel shows off a lot of class, refinement, and depth with racy, high acidity that really makes your mouth water. So.....this is pretty good. There is so much going on right now that it takes a bit to get it all in. The freshness drives me wild in all of the best ways while still showing off a lot of structure for further aging.

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  • 2017 Bernhard Ott Riesling Ried Kirchthal 93 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Wagram

    (10/5/2023)

    This is a great follow up to the 2021. This shows a bit more aging than I'd have expected right away with a bit of petrol to the nose followed up with well balanced tones of red apples, lemon peels, peaches, crushed rocks, pears, spring flowers, saline, and some jasmine. The petrol notes blew off after a few swirls and really pulled back into something lovely. The Medium bodied feel is deft and balanced with tart, high acidity. I wonder what the aging curve on this will be like. Once the petrol blew off, it turned into something really lovely and refined with just that bit of mystery.

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  • 2022 Bernhard Ott Riesling 88 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Wagram

    (10/5/2023)

    The nose is straightforward and balanced with apples, lemon peels, saline, white fruits, white peaches, acacia flowers, and some crushed rock notes. The Medium bodied feel is balanced and lively with tart, medium+ acidity that shows a fair bit of integration. This is a fun "base" Riesling that offers up a more affordable interpretation of Ott's Rieslings.

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Flight 5 - Weingut Hirsch (11 Notes)

This was so laid back and just beautiful. I got to sit outside looking at the vineyards and mountains while tasting through their lineup in pairs.

  • 2022 Weingut Hirsch Grüner Veltliner Kammern 88 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Kamptal

    (10/5/2023)

    The nose is fresh and balanced with tones of lemon peels, green apples, jasmine, white fruits, stone fruits, pithy notes, peaches, pears, and some fresh herbs. The nose is fragrant and lithe, but it does lack some depth. The Medium bodied feel is balanced and fresh with crisp, high acidity. This is a fun and easy drinking Gruner. It isn't meant to be anything amazing, it just hits its notes in the way it needs.

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  • 2022 Weingut Hirsch Riesling Zöbing 89 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Kamptal

    (10/5/2023)

    This shows more upfront fruit with candied lemons, peaches, green apples, peach blossoms, stone fruits, and mineral notes. The Medium bodied feel is fresh and lithe with tart, high acidity. This shows more fruit-driven tones on both the nose and palate. There is a lovely freshness to it that makes it a joy to smell and drink, but this isn't a wine for the long term.

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  • 2022 Weingut Hirsch Grüner Veltliner 1ÖTW Renner 91 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Kamptal

    (10/5/2023)

    The nose is fresh, lifted, and defined with lovely tones of lemon peels, white peaches, kumquat, nectarines, green apples, pears, white fruits, white flowers, saline, and crushed rocks. There is good complexity and style, but it is lacking just a smidge of depth that would kick it up another notch. The Medium bodied feel is lively and balanced with racy, high acidity. This is really lovely and shows a great mineral-laced interpretation of Gruner.

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  • 2022 Weingut Hirsch Grüner Veltliner 1ÖTW Ried Gaisberg 92 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Kamptal

    (10/5/2023)

    This shows a more classic, herbal profile as there is a good dose of mint and pepper that strikes you right off that then leans into green apples, pears, saline, white fruits, fresh herbs, peaches, flint, crushed rocks, and white flowers. The Medium bodied feel is well balanced and vibrant with mouthwatering, high acidity. The complexity and herbalness of the nose shows through on the palate to great effect along with excellent length to the finish. This is pretty youthful at this time and I can see it greatly benefitting from at least 3+ years of aging to let it fully come into harmony.

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  • 2022 Weingut Hirsch Grüner Veltliner Ried Lamm 91 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Kamptal

    (10/5/2023)

    The nose is fresh and nuanced with balanced tones of flint, smoke, green apples, pears, peaches, white flowers, crushed rocks, lemon peels, and some christmas spices. There is good depth with a pristine and clear take to the tones. The Medium bodied feel is fresh and balanced with tart, high acidity that has a lovely, mouthwatering quality. This could pick up a little weight with some age, but I'm really enjoying the crystalline nature of it right now.

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  • 2022 Weingut Hirsch Grüner Veltliner 1ÖTW Reserve Grub 92 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Kamptal

    (10/5/2023)

    This shows off a nuanced and mineral-driven side as it fills the glass with stone fruits, crushed rocks, mineral notes, flint, peaches, pears, green apples, spring florals, and some white fruits. There is excellent depth that plays into the nuance of the nose with a bit of understatement to the tones. The Medium bodied feel is deft and balanced with crisp, high acidity. This is really lovely and a wine that I really would like to have spent time with as opposed to in a tasting flight like this. That said, I'm very glad I had the chance to drink this as its very enjoyable and more of a pristine Gruner than one that favors the herbal aspects.

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  • 2022 Weingut Hirsch Riesling 1ÖTW Heiligenstein-Rotfels 94 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Kamptal

    (10/5/2023)

    This is a nose that really makes you take notice as it is deep and highly aromatic with flowing tones of white peaches, green apples, lemon peels, crushed rocks, saline, white fruits, mineral notes, and all sorts of white and spring floral tones. The Medium bodied feel is deft and silky with razor sharp, high acidity. The acidity has a good bit of sting right now and the finish is lengthy. This is something beautiful right now and there is plenty of room for further development. This is a real treat and well worth seeking out.

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  • 2022 Weingut Hirsch Riesling 1ÖTW Ried Gaisberg 92 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Kamptal

    (10/5/2023)

    The nose is fragrant and fresh with stone fruits, peaches, pears, apples, lemon peels, white fruits, saline, flint, and some acacia flowers. This shows off a pristine style with good depth and balance to the tones. The Medium bodied feel is well balanced and refined with tart, high acidity. The finish has some good length while the acidity has a bit of sting as well. This really could use a few years to fully settle in and show more expression on the nose and palate.

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  • 2021 Weingut Hirsch Riesling 1ÖTW Ried Gaisberg 93 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Kamptal

    (10/5/2023)

    The nose is intense and excited with pears, green apples, peaches, white flowers, lemon peels, saline, salty notes, stone fruits, crushed rocks, and some flint tones. There is excellent depth with good balance while everything in the glass is operating just a bit under a shout. The Medium bodied feel is balanced and immediate with racy, high acidity. This is a killer wine right now, but it does feel like it could use a few years to settle in and come into harmony.

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  • 2015 Weingut Hirsch Riesling Gaisberg 93 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Kamptal

    (10/5/2023)

    The nose is so aromatic, balanced, and intriguing with meyer lemons, red apples, quince, spiced pears, a bit of petrol, yellow flowers, apricots, and some mineral notes. There is excellent depth and refinement with this showing off where the fruit can go after a few years of aging. The Medium bodied feel is textured and balanced with crisp, high acidity that is showing excellent integration. This is flat out lovely and in a beautiful spot. The tones have rounded out a bit while taking on a slightly darker take from the younger rieslings. There is plenty of life left in this, but it is also a real joy to drink right now.

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  • 2016 Weingut Hirsch Grüner Veltliner Ried Lamm 93 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Kamptal

    (10/5/2023)

    The nose is classic Gruner with deep and layered tones of snow peas, red apples, nectarines, meyer lemons, yellow flowers, pears, smoke, flint, and some mineral notes. This a nose that I just got lost in as it meandered in the glass. The Medium bodied feel is silky and poised with crisp, high acidity that shows off good integration. This is in a wonderful place and still has ample acidity for further aging and development. This is a Gruner that speaks to my soul and really leans into all of the hallmarks that make me love the grape.

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Closing

I've been a big big fan of Austrian wines for a while now and this fully cemented it! The land is gorgeous and just all around an amazing time was had. I can't recommend coming here highly enough.

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