Austrian wines are finally starting to be available here! I went to a tasting to try some samples - two familiar to me, but the standout this time was the completely unknown property, Veyder-Malberg. If anyone knows anything about them, I would be happy to hear more!
2009 Sattlerhof Welschriesling - Austria, Styria, Südsteiermark (9/1/2011)
Aromas of pear-drops; crisp and clean. Not very memorable.
2010 Sattlerhof Sauvignon Blanc Steirische Klassik - Austria, Styria, Südsteiermark (9/1/2011)
A bold and rich style of Sauvignon but the scent is still recognizable as the grape despite its tropical, ripe, passionfruit aromas. Very rich, the body more like that of Chardonnay than SB, only fair acidity so the finish shows more fruit and sweetness that I would prefer. Still, it is an interesting and unique style of SB!
2007 Sattlerhof Sauvignon Blanc Erste STK Lage Sernauberg - Austria, Styria, Südsteiermark (9/1/2011)
Rich, less obviously SB than the "basic" SB - instead this has very sweet and concentrated aromas, honeyed and seemingly slightly botrytised! Rich but racy palate, some sweetness even - quite like marmalade: sweet yet with wonderful bite. No points for typicity as it doesn't seem at all like SB, but a nice wine anyway!
2007 Sattlerhof Sauvignon Blanc Grosse STK Lage Kranachberg - Austria, Styria, Südsteiermark (9/1/2011)
A colossal wine, but more majestic in its aloofness than the open and forward Sernauberg. But the same style continues: such ripeness and richness that the grape doesn't come through at all; yet also such energy and nervosity that it is easy to drink despite its size. Once again no points for typicity but I still enjoyed my glass for its complexity, minerality and uniqueness.
2010 Veyder-Malberg Grüner Veltliner Kreutles - Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau (9/1/2011)
Biodynamic; 12% abv. Very fresh aroma, quite ripe (was 2010 a hot year in Wachau?) but still with some of the attractive greenness and pepper of the grape noticeable. Wonderfully energetic palate: dry but with sweet and ripe fruit, lively and cruchy and moreish. Very nice!
2010 Veyder-Malberg Grüner Veltliner Hochrain - Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau (9/1/2011)
This is a step up from the Kreutles, but similar style: ripe but pure GV aromas. Energetic, electric and lively palate with lovely cruch and purity of fruit.
2010 Veyder-Malberg Riesling Bruck - Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau (9/1/2011)
Crystallized fruits, clean and pure, elegant aromas - perhaps slightly closed or too cold? But promising anyhow. Good body, powerful without being overbearing, dry but still light on its feet. Very nice.
2005 Fred Loimer Riesling Loimer Langenlois Terrassen - Austria, Niederösterreich, Kamptal, Langenlois (9/1/2011)
This has opened up nicely in the two years since I last tried it. Upfront aromas of pure, ripe, even sexy Rieslingness. Dry but rich, sweet fruit. Easy to like though not perhaps hugely complex.
2008 Loimer Pinot Noir Terrassen - Austria, Niederösterreich, Kamptal, Langenlois (9/1/2011)
A bit plasticky and reductive; quite simple and berryish aroma though true enough to the grape. Clean and light, not complex and not very memorable but perfectly drinkable.