WTN: Umathum Zweigelt Reserve 2000 -Burgenland, Austria

This is the perfect mix of brawn and balance (brawny not in a new-world sense, but in an understated Austrian red sort of way). Rich cassis and blackberry fruit, cocoa, a marrowy kind of meatiness (Blutwurst? ) and finely grained tannins. Viennese oak seems to impart a lightly herbal spiciness. A dream with blackened Rib-eye. This is drinking superbly right now (and will continue for years). Reds like this make me wonder why anyone drinks California Cab instead of Zweigelt. Time and again, you just CAN'T go wrong with Umathum. 13,5% alc. $$?


Prost!
Bill

Reds like this make me wonder why anyone drinks California Cab instead of Zweigelt.

Bill, I'm an exception to the rule because given a chance, I will always buy an Austrian Zweigelt over some expensive Californian Cab. Austrian reds are in a class that's not too dissimilar to our Ontario reds in that they are briskly acidic and fantastic at the table (provided the use of oak hasn't been too liberal).

[Jenise]

A friend served a 96 of this wine to us about a year ago--it was terrific, and had aged better than we might have expected.

Time and again, you just CAN'T go wrong with Umathum.

Hmmm. I've only tried a handful of Umathums, and I am certainly on the lookout for more. The ones I had rocked! And some of them were 2003s which I am not known to like all that much!

-O-

Time and again, you just CAN'T go wrong with Umathum.

Hmmm. I've only tried a handful of Umathums, and I am certainly on the lookout for more. The ones I had rocked! And some of them were 2003s which I am not known to like all that much!

-O-

Otto,

Since the late 90's, I think Umathum (like quite a few Austrian properties) has shown more and more restraint in their fruit forwardness. Even in 2003, the wines were knockout.


Prost!
Bill

[quote="Paul B."]I'm an exception to the rule because given a chance, I will always buy an Austrian Zweigelt over some expensive Californian Cab.[quote]


Paul,
You're one of the good ones!


Prost!
Bill

I agree with this. I carted a couple of the 2001's back with me from Austria (before I knew that they were being distributed in MA) and like them very much. A bit more herbal note and bitterness in my 01's but kinda like in a northern Italian tradition, did not mind that one bit.

but kinda like in a northern Italian tradition.

OR rather, northern Italian wines are done in an Austrian Tradition !
Do you have any '01s left Michael? If so, post some notes! There's never enough Austrian traffic here.


Prost!
Bill