The 2020 Branaire-Ducru was so alluring en primeur, but is very shy today. That said, some of that youthful exuberance has given way to the characteristic Brainaire finesse. Dark red cherry, spice, grilled herbs, menthol and licorice emerge, but only w...
The 2021 Santorini Assyrtiko, the flagship 100% Assyrtiko, is unoaked and comes in at 14.6% alcohol. Ripe and delicious, this big and fruity Santorini is better today for its young fruit than its structure, but there is firmness underneath the initial bla...
... 2020 Château Beychevelle is a stunner that does everything right..."
The tobacco-leaf, dried-herb and baked-lemon aromas pour from the glass. Then comes the ripe and rather succulent palate, where a touch of tannin accentuates the citrusy freshness at the striking finish. Drink or hold.
The Bründlmayer family owns 12 hectares right in the centre of the Zöbinger Heiligenstein. 10,5 hectares are planted with Riesling, the remainder for experimental purposes with Cabernet (mostly Cabernet Franc). About 20% of the vineyards are trained in the Lyra trellis system. The other Heiligenstein vines are raised by the traditional Guyot method with the berries hanging 50-60 centimeters above the ground. Thinning is done as required to restrict the average yield to 3500-4000 liters per hectare for this classic (Kamptal DAC) Version. Two Reserves from Heiligenstein (Lyra, Alte Reben) are used to be harvested later in the year.
Just bottled with 12.5% stated alcohol, the incredibly charming 2023 Grüner Veltliner Terrassen opens with an irresistible, pure, bright and intense as well as coolish and aromatic bouquet of white seed fruits yet also a saline background. Lean, fresh and...