WTN: 1994 Brundlmayer Riesling Auslese

This is the last of 4 bottles of this wine and probably the sweetest. I had hoped it had lost it's res. sugar by now but NO. Not Auslese in the German sense, but still sweet (Spatlese) with deep amber/straw color and lots of pear and apple flavors with great acidity. Not the greatest match with grilled chicken thighs but we went with it. There was a bit of petrol from this wine from Zobinger Heiligenstein in the Kamptal region. A Parker 94 if memory serves but I would not agree. For the cost, I would not buy this again, but find this wine amazing for it's display of great acidity and fruit.

[David M. Bueker]

I'm actually not surprised at how the wine came across at all. I would expect it to remain sweet for years and years to come. Austrian wines labeled auslese are not likely to end up dry before the end of their lives. They are likely to be immortal though.

What was the cost? Interesting that you would not buy it again despite calling it 'amazing'.

Cost was $25 many years ago but I was expecting it to act more as a German Auslese.

[David M. Bueker]

I bought similar wines at similar times. A few years ago I talked to a couple of Austrian wine makers & they said basically that the wines are completely different & will not react the same way. I didn't know to that point.

Cost was $25 many years ago but I was expecting it to act more as a German Auslese.

I thought so. Sounds like a pretty fun wine for $25. (Hard to find fabulous at that price these days) Although maybe your criticism is more about the utility of aging it this long?

[David M. Bueker]

Although maybe your criticism is more about the utility of aging it this long?

There's the germ of a discussion worth having.

Although maybe your criticism is more about the utility of aging it this long?

There's the germ of a discussion worth having.

I don't have much experience with aging these wines but I remember tasting the 1995 version of this Brundlmayer ZH Auslese in 2006, being very impressed with the result, and thinking to myself that it would be worth pursuing for my own cellar:

1995 Brundlmayer Zobinger Heiligenstein Auslese
This starts off yellow crisp and stalky, although with air some rich spicy honey notes emerge which Steve and Jim don’t particularly find advantageous. In contrast I do find this quite advantageous for putting in my mouth, with lovely crisp riesling character but also firm bulging riesling fruit character, and then the funky aging riesling character. Such darn overall pleasure.

I don't have much experience with aging these wines but I remember tasting the 1995 version of this Brundlmayer ZH Auslese in 2006, being very impressed with the result, and thinking to myself that it would be worth pursuing for my own cellar:

1995 Brundlmayer Zobinger Heiligenstein Auslese
This starts off yellow crisp and stalky, although with air some rich spicy honey notes emerge which Steve and Jim don’t particularly find advantageous. In contrast I do find this quite advantageous for putting in my mouth, with lovely crisp riesling character but also firm bulging riesling fruit character, and then the funky aging riesling character. Such darn overall pleasure.

Rahsaan,
I last tasted this in 2004. I have one bottle left, and if you remind me we can taste it when next we meet.
Charles

[David M. Bueker]

Perhaps if the timing is right I can contribute the '95 Brundlmayer Gruner Veltliner Alte Reben or the '95 Salomon Riesling Kogl Auslese.

Perhaps it's time for a meeting of the Southern New England Austrian Wine Society!
Charles

I'm in! And if we can wait a couple of weeks, I might also be able to offer an 07 Pichler Kellerberg Riesling.

[David M. Bueker]

We should wait until Rahsaan gets up north.

We should wait until Rahsaan gets up north.

Fine idea! Although I'm sure there's more than enough Austrian wine for everyone..

I have a few bottles myself, although no 95s at the moment..

[David M. Bueker]

We should wait until Rahsaan gets up north.

Fine idea! Although I'm sure there's more than enough Austrian wine for everyone..

I have a few bottles myself, although no 95s at the moment..

More a case of waiting to open the older, limited supply bottles.

More a case of waiting to open the older, limited supply bottles.

Hey, no argument from me on that front

I just got some more slightly-older Nigl and Alzinger wines delivered yesterday, can't wait to drink them myself although I'm sure a queue can easily form until the fall.

Awesome. And I may also be getting my hands on some slightly older Knoll or Pichler in the fall...