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Leth Tasting with Franz Leth

Block 7 Wine Co. - Houston

Tasted May 15, 2011 by cartime with 546 views

Introduction

A wonderful afternoon tasting the Leth portfolio with the added treat of some 20-30 year old library wines and the insightful commentary of the winemaker, Franz Leth.

Flight 1 - Bubbly (1 note)

Rosé - Sparkling
N.V. Nicolas Maillart Champagne Grand Cru Brut Rosé France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru
92 points
Strawberry shortcake nose with great minerality. Vigorous medium-fine bubbles. Nice acidity and excellent balance.

Flight 2 - Gruner Veltliner (3 notes)

It was nice to have to opportunity to appreciate the different styles of Gruner and to see its aging potential.

White
2007 Leth Grüner Veltliner Scheiben Austria, Niederösterreich, Wagram
90 points
A ripe nose with apricot, lemon, white pepper, and anise. Compared to the Steinagrund, less herbaceousness and more perceptible alcohol. Lots of acid - this needs some time. Potential for improvement. 90+.
White
2010 Leth Grüner Veltliner Steinagrund Austria, Niederösterreich, Wagram
90 points
Fruit-driven nose with green apple, Meyer lemon, passion fruit, white pepper, and parsley. Citrus, apple, river stone, palate. Citrusy acidity and excellent balance. Medium-plus finish. For short-medium term drinking.
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White
1979 Leth Grüner Veltliner Brunnthal Wagram Austria, Niederösterreich, Wagram
92 points
My first birth year wine. Chamomile, bell pepper, Marcona almonds on the nose with some sherry notes. Dry, nutty, green bean palate with only slight oxidation and some definite signs of life. A really great experience to try this.

Flight 3 - Other Whites (3 notes)

White
2009 Leth Roter Veltliner Hofweingarten Wagram Austria, Niederösterreich, Wagram
89 points
An easy-drinking white with ripe apple, pear, honey, and dried herb flavors. Smooth with balanced acidity.
White
1990 Leth Roter Veltliner Scheiben Wagram Austria, Niederösterreich, Wagram
91 points
Honey, golden raisin, apple nose with hints of oxidation. Dry palate with apple, grassy herbs, and smoked almonds. I really liked the honeyed notes in concert with the total lack of sweetness. Holding up well for a 20 year old wine.
White
2009 Leth Riesling Felser Weinberge Wagram Austria, Niederösterreich, Wagram
89 points
Floral nose with apple, lemon-lime, and green mango. Smooth, round, and easy-drinking but with enough hints of acid and minerality to play well with food.

Flight 4 - Reds (2 notes)

Red
2008 Leth Pinot Noir Reserve Wagram Austria, Niederösterreich, Wagram
89 points
Ripe black cherry, caramel, violets on the nose with a hint of barnyard. Ripe, masculine palate of coffee, black cherry, and oak. Medium bodied with nice acidity. Needs some time to integrate the oak.
Red
2006 Leth Zweigelt Gigama Reserve Wagram Austria, Niederösterreich, Wagram
87 points
Ripe raspberry and red currant, vanilla, and mocha. A low acid, easy drinking wine. Decent.

Flight 5 - Sweet Ending (1 note)

White - Off-dry
1983 Leth Weissburgunder Auslese Brunnthal Wagram Austria, Niederösterreich, Wagram
92 points
Agave nectar, golden raisin, sweet lemons, and tropical fruit. Off-dry palate still retaining some freshness and a little bit of acidity. Medium-plus finish. 14.5% abv, which probably helped it survive as long as it has despite the lowish acid.
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