WTN: Wachau, Sicily, Bordeaux

2010 Tegernseerhof Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Höhereck, Wachau/Austria
Appears very young and dominated by a scent of white blossoms as well as by a delicious fruit reminiscent of pineapple and star fruit. The highly aromatic acidity gives the wine a solid backbone and good length. A sympathetic proof that expressive Grüner Veltliner doesn't need to be heavy at all. - My subjective rating: 92/100.

2017 COS Pithos Anfora Bianco, Sicily/Italy
A natural white wine made from 100% Grecanico (autochthonous grape variety) fermented and aged in clay amphorae, which has neither come into contact with industrial yeast nor with sulfur.
There is depth, purity, minerality and a compelling fruit (pear and gooseberry) on the nose. On the palate its rich aromas expand in all directions, however it always remains harmonious, tense, precise and complex. Nothing seems strained, everything appears naturally grown and full of vitality. The highly aromatic, vibrant acidity fades away on the palate only after a few minutes and makes you think about what you've just experienced. A wild animal that fascinates with its mysterious beauty. - My subjective rating: 92+/100.

2014 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, Bordeaux/France
(Cabernet Sauvignon 90%, Merlot 10%)
Closed down but showing some precise and cool fruit (dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon), superb tannin quality, classic minerality, a long finish and a noble aftertaste. Patience and good storage will be richly rewarded. - My subjective rating: 95+/100.

Cheers, Rainer

2010 Tegernseerhof Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Höhereck, Wachau/Austria
Appears very young and dominated by a scent of white blossoms as well as by a delicious fruit reminiscent of pineapple and star fruit. The highly aromatic acidity gives the wine a solid backbone and good length. A sympathetic proof that expressive Grüner Veltliner doesn't need to be heavy at all. - My subjective rating: 92/100.

Good for you. I tried several wines from Tegernseerhof a few years ago, including several bottles of the 2012 GV Höhereck. I can't say that I got a comprehensive understanding of the producer, but it did seem like the style was fresh, elegant and not heavy. Those are all traits that I appreciate, but I didn't fall in love. I mentally categorized them as wines that would work well for an easy and casual dinner party, but perhaps didn't have the complexity to interest me alone.

[David M. Bueker]

2014 is a lovely Bordeaux vintage.

2014 is a lovely Bordeaux vintage.

I fully agree. Apart from DB I particulary liked Calon-Ségur. Which wines did you taste so far?

2010 Tegernseerhof Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Höhereck, Wachau/Austria
Appears very young and dominated by a scent of white blossoms as well as by a delicious fruit reminiscent of pineapple and star fruit. The highly aromatic acidity gives the wine a solid backbone and good length. A sympathetic proof that expressive Grüner Veltliner doesn't need to be heavy at all. - My subjective rating: 92/100.

Good for you. I tried several wines from Tegernseerhof a few years ago, including several bottles of the 2012 GV Höhereck. I can't say that I got a comprehensive understanding of the producer, but it did seem like the style was fresh, elegant and not heavy. Those are all traits that I appreciate, but I didn't fall in love. I mentally categorized them as wines that would work well for an easy and casual dinner party, but perhaps didn't have the complexity to interest me alone.

I have tasted quite a few wines from this producer in the past years. However I agree, these are primarily sympathetic wines. They have never disappointed me, but I couldn't say they inspired me. Which other producers from Wachau do you prefer over Tegernseerhof?

However I agree, these are primarily sympathetic wines. They have never disappointed me, but I couldn't say they inspired me. Which other producers from Wachau do you prefer over Tegernseerhof?

Thanks for the context. Your 92 point score sounded pretty high, but wine point scores are often difficult to interpret.

Speaking of the Wachau, just yesterday I was buying from a local retailer and passed over his selection of Tegernseerhof for a bunch of Alzinger. Knoll and Hirtzberger are two other favorites. Also, at least in my local stores, Tegernseerhof used to be considerably cheaper than the other names, but that is no longer the case.

[David M. Bueker]

2014 is a lovely Bordeaux vintage.

I fully agree. Apart from DB I particulary liked Calon-Ségur. Which wines did you taste so far?

I have only tried a few, but across the price spectrum. Lanessan and Cantermerle have been wonderfully classic for very little money. Beychevelle and Domaine de Chevalier are both delicious in the upper end of mid-tier pricing. I have not had any wine in the very top tier yet, and really don't expect to. I also think the window is closing to sample some of the wines. I may still open a Leoville Barton at some point.

2014 is a lovely Bordeaux vintage.

I fully agree. Apart from DB I particulary liked Calon-Ségur. Which wines did you taste so far?

I have only tried a few, but across the price spectrum. Lanessan and Cantermerle have been wonderfully classic for very little money. Beychevelle and Domaine de Chevalier are both delicious in the upper end of mid-tier pricing. I have not had any wine in the very top tier yet, and really don't expect to. I also think the window is closing to sample some of the wines. I may still open a Leoville Barton at some point.

Wines from the Wachau have become too expensive here in Switzerland (e.g. the best ones from Hirtzberger cost more than CHF 100 per bottle).
I prefer alternatives from Germany (that seem more attractive to me): dry Riesling from Dönnhoff, Gut Hermannsberg, Schlossgut Diel, Robert Weil, Carl Loewen, Stefan Steinmetz, etc.

Wines from the Wachau have become too expensive here in Switzerland (e.g. the best ones from Hirtzberger cost more than CHF 100 per bottle).
I prefer alternatives from Germany (that seem more attractive to me): dry Riesling from Dönnhoff, Gut Hermannsberg, Schlossgut Diel, Robert Weil, Carl Loewen, Stefan Steinmetz, etc.

Similar pricing in the US on Hirtzberger, which is one reason I don't follow them more closely. But top Dönnhoff wines are the same price. I go back and forth between Austria and Germany for dry riesling, with no clear national-level preferences. Frankly, there are too many great producers in both countries for me to keep up! (I probably end up drinking more German than Austrian wine, but mainly because I spend more time in Germany than Austria).