FX PICHLER RIESLING 2001 SMARAGD LOIBNER BERG (SCHILDKNECHT **)
FX Pichler is one of the top winemakers in the Wachau, making fascinating and complex wines. His Riesling is rich, exotic, and multi-layer. A wine to enjoy now, or age for 5 -10 years.

FX PICHLER RIESLING 2001 STEINERTAL (SCHILDKNECHT *)
FX Pichler: "We are proud of our single-vineyard sites. Proud, because the authenticity of our wines is individually based on each site. We believe in vineyard-designated wines – to us, they are challenge, goal and ideal all in one. It is primarily the steep mountainous terraces from the 12th and 13th centuries, which we cultivate and maintain with utmost respect – to us, an exceptional cultural asset."
"FX Pichler is the Chateau Latour, Domaine De La Romanee-ContiDomaine Zind-Humbrecht, Helen Turley of the Wachau." Robert Parker JR, The Wine Advocate, 2002

GRUNER VELTLINER 2007 "IM WEINGEBIRGE" NIKOLAIHOF
Last, but certainly not least, comes this outstanding Grüner Veltliner from the legendary estate whom many consider to be the greatest in Austria. Nikolaihof, on the south side of the Danube in Austria’s famous Wachau region, was founded in 985, and was actually the first winery to be certified as biodynamic by Demeter. One of Austria’s most traditional estates, many of their wines are fermented in large wooden vats, and a few are even pressed in a restored 300-year-old tree press, the largest of its kind in all of Europe.

The 2007 Grüner Veltliner Im Weingebirge Federspiel (Federspiel is a measure of must-weight used in the Wachau roughly equivalent to Kabinett) comes from a famous vineyard called "Im Weingebirge" that has been cultivated continuously since the eleventh century, making it the oldest vineyard in central Europe. Terry Theise singled this wine out as his “wine of the vintage” in his catalog, and David Schildknecht of the Wine Advocate awarded it 93 points. WINE ADVOCATE 93 POINTS - "The 2007 Gruner Veltliner Federspiel Im Weingebirge is another remarkably buoyant and poised Nikolaihof triumph. Lentil, rhubarb, lemon, white peach, plum distillate, and tobacco are among the elements that come wreathed in flowers and smoke, and underlain by savory, saline, scallop-like suggestions. That striking mineral melange, combined with sheer extract, give this wine a mysterious sense of sweetness, even though it is analytically as dry as it is delicate. If you think lightness isn't compatible with profundity of flavor, this -little- wine will set you straight!" Limited Supply.

GRUNER VELTLINER 2008 #1 HIRSCH
Hannes Hirsch used to be considered something of a Wunderkind in Austria's Kamptal region, but no more- he is now unanimously considered one of the best producers in all of Austria. Producing only Riesling and Grüner Veltliner according to bio-dynamic principles, he consistently achieves critical acclaim for his much sought-after single-vineyard bottlings from Gaisberg, Heiligenstein, and Lamm.

The Grüner Veltliner #1 is Hirsch's entry-level Grüner, from a selection of organically-cultivated sites, including some fruit purchased from local growers. Always with a whimsical cartoon deer featured on the label ("Hirsch" is German for "deer"), the #1 is an outstanding example of Grüner Veltliner in a sort of intermediate category - deeper and more complex than the typical bottling, but still fresh, young and vibrantly citrusy. This wine also offers interesting smoky-mineral notes, hints of toasted pine-nut and mouth-watering stone fruit flavors, which offer additional layers of complexity. A great example of Grüner in its price category.

GRUNER VELTLINER 2009 BERGER 1000mL
Yes, folks, this wine comes in a (1.0) liter bottle, which means you get to have 33% more fun! Representing the fresh, crisp and refreshingly tangy side of Grüner Veltliner in the perennially-popular liter format, this is the bottling that Terry Theise calls the "class of the [liter] category." And although Terry actually has several excellent GrüVe liters to choose from, this is our favorite. Dry, crisp, and impeccably clean, this wine delivers delicious flavors of white flowers, pepper, and pink grapefruit, underscored by an attractive leesiness - quintessential value Grüner Veltliner. And we love the un-ceremoniousness of the crown cap!

BERGER 2009 ZWEIGELT 1LT

PRIELER 2007 BLAUFRANKISCH JOHANNESHOHE BURGENLAND

The Prieler winery is located in the Schützner Stein area of Burgenland along the western shore of Neusiedler Lake. The family has been farming in this area for at least 150 years. Falstaff Magazine, the leading Austrian wine guide, choose Prieler as their 2009 Vintner of the Year. Their 2007 Blaufränkisch was sourced entirely from the Johanneshöhe vineyard. The grapes are sustainably farmed and were manually harvested in the beginning of October. Fermentation was temperature controlled in stainless steel and the wine was aged in large oak barrels. The result is a classic expression of this light-bodied, elegant grape variety with dark berries backed by herbal spice, white pepper and deep forest berry fruit. This red is elegant, juicy, well-structured with plenty of finesse, and has a very long and persistent finish. A perfect accompaniment to food on hot days, this will stand up to a slight chill.