Austria

Burgenland, Austria. Pale yellow, clear. A bit of barnyard dissipates quickly, then white pepper, a hint of fennel on a background of yeast. It is crisp and peppery on the palate, a hint of sweetness, citrus and the finish has some fennel. This is a rather special and interesting blend of Chardonnay and Gruner Veltliner...

Burgenland, Austria.  Bramble fruit, juniper berry, liquorice and pepper, with maybe a slight sniff of caramel. Medium bodied, racy cranberry acidity and gravelly, silty tannin, with a good amount of depth and fleshiness, yet still carries the nerviness of this juicy and fascinating grape. Finish is precise and pretty long. Vibrant and charged with energy. 93 or 94 points, but who’s counting? 

Kremstal, Austria. Displays at first a delicate smoky spiciness which is gradually overtaken by the bright fruit, light green fruit notes, gently fragrant; robust with a rather lean structure, spicy on the palate, subtle fruit, a little red chilli pepper and lemon in the background...

Kremstal, Austria. Discreet, finely aromatic nose with elegant, almost graceful fruit, cool notes, a hint of fresh herbs, subtle minerality, delicately juicy with a firm acid structure, elegant with a crisp bite, fresh and radiant, appealing, animated drinking.

Burgenland, Austria. Evocations somewhere between serious cru Beaujolais and northern Rhône on the nose. Violets, firm red cherry, maraschino and earth. On the palate there’s fresh, firm-fleshed but not particularly sweet fruit. It’s medium-bodied and juicy at its heart, with definite tannin presence and bright acids giving shape and drive. Again, there’s firm cherry and plum, with white and black pepper notes plus cinnamon. It lingers really nicely with a real sense of cohesion between fruit, acidity and fine, dusty tannin. Taut and fine-tuned, this spreads long across the palate and feels like it will open beautifully in the glass...

Burgenland, Austria. Raspberry and dark cherry, sweet brown spices, dried flowers and herbs, but quite savoury too with something like a porcini mushroom flavour. Medium bodied, but plump and fleshy, with a mass of fine tannin and crisp ‘minerally’ acidity, and a finish that’s dry, spicy and quite long. Engaging. Wonderful to drink...

Burgenland, Austria. Pittnauer Pitti is a blend of Blaufränkisch and Zweigelt. It is medium bodied in weight with a plush texture, lovely floral notes, spice and savoury notes. There’s plenty of generous fruit flavour all balanced with a pleasant tannin grip and bright acid balance.

Burgenland, Austria. Reminiscent of cru Beaujolais on the nose; cherries, sweet spice, earth and whole-berry ferment notes, plus a hint of smoked charcuterie. Palate impression is immediately pure, with spiced cherry and brambly fruit, carried on a silky and slinky feel. Definitely opens up too, with deceptive depth. Finishes with a nice twist of more savoury spice and Earl Grey tea, but with lively red fruit, too. Delicious...

Wachau, Austria. "Buoyant, with racy acidity and lively, fresh-cut apple and Meyer lemon flavors that take on a creamy allure. The tarragon notes mesh with effusive minerality and hints of white pepper. Drink now through 2020..."

Wachau, Austria. A pure, powerful Riesling with white peach and lime aromas, creamy notes and spice on the finish...