2012 Loimer, Pinot Noir, Langenlois, Austria.
Fred Loimer styles some pretty wines and his Pinot Noir is an elegant and earthy wine that really shines in good vintages, and 2012 is such a year, though I can’t wait to try the 2013, which looks set to be even better. I have long been a fan of Loimer, having tasted them more than a few times over the last 7 or 8 years, and I was thrilled by his 2004, 2005 and 2006 wines, these were Pinots I bought for myself, and this 2012 is much the same with Burgundy like qualities, though still very much an Austrian wine, some say Austrian Pinot is like German meets Italian (Alto Adige Pinot Nero) but I don’t see that in the flavors, these Austrian wines have their own character, soul and the terroir is very different, there isn’t the slate that makes some of the German Pinots so intriguing and there are not too like the Sud Tirol offerings in my opinion. The 2012 Loimer starts with loamy and leafy earthiness, spiced red fruits, dried flowers, smoke and graphite leading to a plum and cherry fruited palate with some raspberry, mushroom, saddle leather, tea spice and crushed stones along with hints of rose petal and violets. The Loimer Pinot has fine tannins, a streak of soft acidity and feels light and delicate in mouth, but gathers some body with air and has nice length and leaves extract and tangy red currant notes on the finish. This is not a flamboyant offering, but alluring with poise and well crafted quality, I highly recommend giving it a go if you are looking for something with natural graces and different, drink from 2015 to 2020, this is a really lovely wine.
($40 Est.) 92 Points, grapelive
