WTN: Eye of the Nigl

[David M. Bueker]

1995 Nigl Grüner Veltliner Alte Reben - Austria, Niederösterreich, Kremstal (4/16/2009)
From the color I never would have guessed this as a 14 year old wine. The nose did not give it away either. There was beautiful richness of fruit and that green edge of Gruner, coupled with an overarching creaminess that extended to the palate, but that never for one sip overwhelmed the precise focus of the wine. I am not sure how this wine managed to pull it off, but it displayed the most interesting combination of laser focus and inviting richness I have come across in a long, long time. Fantastic wine.

p.s. the pun only works if you pronounce the name right: nee-gul

1995 Nigl Grüner Veltliner Alte Reben - Austria, Niederösterreich, Kremstal (4/16/2009)
... I am not sure how this wine managed to pull it off, but it displayed the most interesting combination of laser focus and inviting richness I have come across in a long, long time...

p.s. the pun only works if you pronounce the name right: nee-gul

Are you sure it's a Ligl Nigl?

BTW, Let the record show that you've had quite a few Donnhoffs during that long, long time.

[David M. Bueker]

True Charles - very true.

I am not sure how this wine managed to pull it off, but it displayed the most interesting combination of laser focus and inviting richness I have come across in a long, long time.

If you're saying that after drinking Brucke, Schmitt, 01 Christoffels and their ilk recently... all I can say is WOW.

[David M. Bueker]

There is a certain mystical quality to a wine that actually passes the test of time to become better than it ever was on release. This wine did that.

There is a certain mystical quality to a wine that actually passes the test of time to become better than it ever was on release. This wine did that.

David, I was fortunate enough a few years ago to participate in a seminar/tasting by Terry Theise, wherein he convinced many of his suppliers in Austria to part with some of their library wines to enable him to do a tasting retrospective of Gruner Veltliners. A Thirty Year Retrospective.

It was patent and clear to all there that Gruner not only had the ability to age well, but that it also went through some intriguing variations along its journey, and that fully mature Gruners were capable of matching the most distinguished of the Grand Cru Chards of Burgundy.

And yes, there was a mystical quality evident.

I have a fond memory of the Nigl '99 GV. It needed hours of air to get itself going, but once it did...oh, boy.

Speaking of mystical GV: Seen one of these in your travels?

[David M. Bueker]

Nope. Looks interesting though.