It’s not often that a young Austrian gruner veltliner reminds you of Burgundy, though mature examples often do. The ripe-mirabelle, candied-pineapple and dried-herb aromas are married to a palate that’s rich and creamy. But beneath the waterline this is also a highly structured wine. Rather imposing finish, suggesting excellent aging potential. Drink or hold.\n Producer Information\n Schloss Gobelsburg is a highly regarded wine estate and historic property in the Kamptal region of Austria. It is one of the oldest wine estates of the country, particularly known for its wines from the Grüner Veltiner and Riesling grape varieties. Wine production at the site dates back to 1171. The monks of the Zwettl monastery managed the vineyards until 1995, when the business was taken over by Michael Moosbrugger, with the guidance of Willi Bründlmayer. The Gobelsburg castle itself was first documented in 1178 as a fortified property with adjoining church. It evolved into a more residential-focused property in the 16th Century and was completely rebuilt in 1725. Schloss Gobelsburg has 35 hectares (87 acres) of vineyards in various sites near the castle. These include the famous Erste Lage sites Heiligenstein and Gaisberg for Riesling, and Lamm, Steinsetz, Grub and Renner for Grüner Veltliner. These vineyards make the estate's range-topping, single-vineyard wines. Grüner Veltliner represents half of Gobelsburg's total plantings, with Riesling accounting for one quarter. Zweigelt, Sankt-Laurent, Blauburgunder (Pinot Noir) and Merlot are also planted in the vineyards. In the cellar, large maturation barrels are placed on wheels so wine can be moved around without needing to be pumped. In the pursuit of regional authenticity, oak for the barrels is sourced from Manhartsberg, north of Langenlois, rather than the normal French or American sources.
