2013 Weingut Ingrid Groiss, Gemischter Satz, White Blend, Breitenwaida-Weinviertel, Austria.
This wild natural field blend, the Gemischter Satz Trocken 13% alcohol from 50 year old vines, has 17 different varietals interplanted including Chardonnay, Muller Thurgau, Welschriesling, Gruner Veltliner, Riesling, Grauburgunder, Pinot Blanc, Malvasier as well as rare and ancient varieties such as Neuburger, Zierfandler, Rotgipfler, Samling, Roter Veltliner, Grauer Voslauer, Hietl Rote, Weisse Voslauer and Silberweisse. Wines like this are going to make the young and charismatic Ingrid Groiss a superstar, this gorgeous white possesses a wonderful cascade of flavors, mineral tones and striking acidity, this is a dynamic and totally unique wine that has great fruit intensity and dry extract, that is both hedonistically pleasing and vibrantly vivid, this is seriously electric stuff. The nose is bright and mineral driven with apple, quince and citrus along with hints of clove spice, briny sea notes and white flowers leading to a flowing palate of yellow peach, ripe pear, lemon/lime, green and golden apple and kumquat plus wild herbs, sea salt, chalky wet stone, a hint of loam and lingering apricot and tropical fruits. There is plenty of style and substance to admire here, this is well made and balanced wine, I highly recommend searching out this wine and Ingrid’s stunning Gruner Veltliner as well, Grioss is a great new talent and her wines are riveting and offer a thrill ride on the palate, probably the best new winery from Austria I’ve tasted in the last 5 years and her 2013’s are a fantastic set of offerings, drink over the next 3 to 5 years.
($26 Est.) 94 Points, grapelive
