TN: Two 2005 Austrian whites

[zin1953]

2005 Weingut Franz Hirtzberger Grüner Veltliner “Rotes Tor,” Smaragd (Wachau, Austria): Light straw gold in color, clean and bright; the bouquet here is clearly Grüner, with a wonderful bouquet of wet stone and minerals coupled with ripe fruit, accented with a bit of pepper and spice; on the palate, the wine is classic Grüner yet it has fleshed out nicely with some bottle age to be round and supple on the palate, while still retaining its classic acidity and structure; the finish is long and flavorful. Very fine indeed.

2005 Weingut Franz Hirtzberger Riesling “Singerriedel,” Smaragd (Wachau, Austria): OK, I’ll say it – this wine was crystal clear in the glass, with a light straw gold color; initially the bouquet did not seem as “classic” a Riesling as the Grüner was a Grüner (see above), though nevertheless possessing a beautiful and enticing bouquet of slate, minerals, ripe fruit and more (perhaps it was the lack of petrol?), but as it continued to open and develop in the glass, more notes of the grape variety came through; on the palate, the wine was a bit lighter and more narrowly focused, with firm acidity and structure – almost more Mosel-like – yet it possessed delicious flavors, and a crisp, clean finish. These remains more potential here for development, but there is no doubting the wine’s excellent flavors now.

Cheers,
Jason

[SteveTimko]

I"m going to the Age of Riesling tasting on Sunday and I expect to sample some glorious 2007 Austrians, although I don't like bone dry riesling.

[georgempavlov]

You're in for a treat. I think Johannes Hirsch's lineup of rieslings is incredible in 2007. Try to seek them out.

[SteveTimko]

Didn't have any Hirsch reisling but the 2007 Hirsch Grüner Veltliner Kamptal DAC Zöbinger Heiligenstein is a freaking screaming good deal. One of the better gruners that I had and almost as good as the $40 2007 Ott Der Ott gruner veltliner.

[PolarBear]

Steve, I know you're in Sacto, where do you find these good GVs? I've discovered a couple of places in Santa Cruz that have a minimal offering, and a couple in Santa Barbara that increase my options by two or three, but still not what I'd like to be able to get my hands on, especially since I don't get to either of those two lovely towns that often. TIA

Cheers,

Dave

[SteveTimko]

Actually, I'm in Reno. But for good gruner, I'd check out K&L in San Francisco and Los Angeles, The Age of Riesling (who hosted the tasting I attended) http://www.theageofriesling.com, also try http://www.winemonger.com and also Vintage Berkeley/Solano Cellers for the Terry Thiese imports.
http://www.vintageberkeley.com/Home.html

[PolarBear]

Thanks a 1.0 *10^6, Steve.

[zin1953]

I cannot speak to what is available in Fresno, but there are a number of places to find Grüner Veltliner (and other Austrian wines) in the SF Bay Area. Here are just a few . . .

[PolarBear]

Thanks zin1953, the K&L in SF is less than a mile from our good friends, will stop in next visit.