Alzinger Loibner Loibenberg Smaragd Grüner Veltliner 2015

Before we jump into the review and tasting note, let’s learn more about the Loibenberg vineyard. It is a 35ha vineyard site in the Wachau region of Austria. The vineyard is terraced, with the max slope at 81%, with the west and south-east aspect. With an altitude between 212 – 394 meters above sea level. The main component of soil is Gföhl gneiss, with elements of sand and stones.

Colour: Deep lemon

Nose: Pronounce intensity of primary aromas of stone fruit – ripe peach, nectarine, green fruit – ripe yellow pair, tropical fruit – pineapple, ripe mango, floral – honeysuckle; secondary aromas of oak – vanilla, cloves; tertiary aromas of dried apricots, pine nuts, ginger.

Palate:
Dry, with Pronounce intensity of primary flavours of stone fruit – ripe peach, nectarine, green fruit – ripe yellow pair, tropical fruit – pineapple, ripe mango, floral – honeysuckle; secondary flavours of oak – vanilla, cloves; tertiary flavours of dried apricots, pine nuts, ginger;
high acidity; high alcohol; full body; oily texture; long finish.

Conclusion: Outstanding – This is a complex wine, with a harmonious set of pronounced aromas and flavors, including fresh primary aromas, secondary aromas, and aging-based aromas. The full body is complemented and balanced by zesty acidity, allowing the wine to be rich and refreshing at the same time. The long and elaborate finish elevates this wine to outstanding quality.

Bottle ageing: Suitable for bottle ageing – even though the wine has already a range of tertiary aromas and flavours, the freshness of the primary fruit, the level of acidity and the complexity of it, provides a lot of space for further ageing.

Tasting tip: How could you know it was Grüner Veltliner? According to Nick Jackson, MW and his Beyond Flavour book, GV can be identified by its acidic structure:

Grüner’s acid structure I compare to a rollercoaster, or, a sine curve. That is: the acidity is rather low when the wine first hits the palate, then climbs quickly. Just as quickly, it falls off again, only to return, stronger than ever, on the finish. Up, down, up again.

Bought at: Cahn’s Wines and Spirits
Price: 82 NZD