Weingut Steininger Grüner Veltliner Grand Crü

                                                DOMBEK photo © 2012

Weingut Steininger

Grüner Veltliner Grand Crü

Kamptal Reserve 2010

Austria

100% Grüner Veltliner.

Deep golden straw in color with bright highlights, this wine has lush tropical fruit notes on the nose such as ripe pineapple, grapefruit peel and banana, along with a flinty minerality that comes through like a refreshing wave.  With a touch of orange peel, citrus and hint of spice along, with subtle warm vanilla overtones, the mouth feel is round, smooth and lovely with a distinctly silky yet fresh, clean finish.  Beautiful! 

I also loved that this bottle has a glass cork!

This Grüner Veltliner Grand Crü (French for “great growth”) is purportedly one for aging, and I can imagine the honey notes coming through even more distinctly with time.  However, it was perfectly delightful to enjoy now, and that we did as part of my recent birthday celebration.  Absolutely loved by all!  We enjoyed with a selection of cheeses with fruits & nuts to start, followed by a pasta salad with fresh veggies, herbs, chicken & shrimp and artisan bread.  Scrumptuous!

Grüner Veltliner is the most important grape varietal in Austria, greatly appreciated as a fresh dry wine, as well as one with powerful long aging potential.  The Steininger winery is family-run and situated in the wine growing village of Langenlois in the Kamptal Valley.  This grape accounts for over 50% of their production and can be found in different styles, from light summer wines to powerful, voluminous full bodied wines and also dessert wines. 

A favorite of John’s from Rosemont Market here in Portland, this is one of the wines he and Tabitha (CRUSH Distributors) discovered and brought back from their trip to Austria last February.  Treat yourself!  $27.99 a bottle at Rosemont.