Great Grüner

Fred Loimer enjoying a Gruner and Riesling in Trinity Bellwoods Park with Jamie Drummond in 2011.

In this Saturday’s VINTAGES release, LCBO is bringing back a perennial favourite of ours, and for many across Ontario… the 2013 Loimer Grüner Veltliner Kamptal. A certified organic and biodynamically farmed, dry white from Austria, the hand harvested grapes for this wine come from old vineyards in the Kamptal, an area north west of Vienna known for this aromatic grape. The wines from the 2013 vintage are very exciting, as the purity of fruit is unlike any vintage in recent history, and many experts think 2013 was the best vintage since Austria’s historic 1999 vintage. Look for refreshingly crispy, crunchy and classic Grüner notes of green apple, stone fruit and minerals.

Although Austria grows many other varietals with distinct purity and expression, Grüner Veltliner is most certainly Austria’s signature white grape, offering this country a unique identity in a sea of varietal similitude. Critics like Wine Enthusiast, David Lawrason, John Szabo, MS and Michael Godel unanimously agree this is a textbook example of the varietal, awarding it a solid 90 points!

LCBO purchased a mere 150 cases of this wine… so grab some while you can… with these kinds of reviews, it won’t be around for long. Enjoy!

Le Sommelier

416.603.7026

TASTING NOTES

Reviews:

“Freshly cut pear peel and savory, almost nutty herbs announce a richer style with plump notions of yellow pear and plum. Savory nuttiness is foremost, playing on the rounded and beautifully textured palate. A lasting notion of white pepper makes for an intriguing finish. This has ‘food wine’ written all over it, and will shine on the table.”  

Score: 90 (Anne Krebiehl, MW, Wine Enthusiast, Aug 2014)

“From one of the leading producers of Austria comes a beauty grüner made in an easier, simpler style. Great structure and elegance if not great complexity or depth, with lifted, floral, mirabelle (yellow plum) and a hint of grüner white pepper. Mid-weight with great lemony, juicy acidity, and no sense the wine is propped up by residual sugar. A touch tart. Very good to excellent length. Tasted October 2014”
Score: 90 (David Lawrason, WineAlign.com, Oct 2014)

“2013 is proving to be a very fine vintage for Austria whites, with terrific liveliness and vibrancy. Loimer’s all-estate, biodynamically-grown Langenlois cuvée, slips neatly into the red cherry spectrum, passing through more common green apple and lime flavours, gaining complexity along the way. Pure, crystalline flavours linger on tingling acids. Lovely stuff. Tasted April 2014.”
Score: 90 (John Szabo, MS, WineAlign.com, Apr 2014)

“Can any entry level (used with latitude) Grüner speak more clearly of varietal truth than Fred Loimer’s Kamptal? Saline, herbal, juicy and mineral all roll off the golden carpeted tongue. A ripe merging to oxidative line is straddled but acidity keeps reeling in the fruit so no harm, no foul. Flavours of citrus and white peach. Heads medicinally sweet on the finish and lasts longer than could ever be expected. From my earlier April 2014 note: “Increased hang time has put this Kamptal in a deeper state of focus and understanding concerning the intricacies of Langenlois Grüner Veltliner. Continues the pure, clean and crisp axiom of the basic Lois but here the aromatics are spoken in acroamatic terms, obvious to disciples and yet available for all to comprehend. Though five per cent big wood barrel aging does not seem significant, that practice along with four months of aging on the fine lees has had a textural impact. The added weight is a questionable thing, though arguably just splitting hairs. Will help carry this vintage through five to seven years of graceful settling. Last tasted October 2014.”
Score: 90 (Michael Godel, WineAlign.com, Oct 2014)

Varietal: 100% Grüner Veltliner

Region: Kamptal, Austria

Price: $19.95 (per bottle)
LCBO#: 142240

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