*Wieninger Rosé de Pinot 2007 12,5% abv; c.12€
A very light salmon pink due to a process that they use, reminiscent of that used for pink Champagne, that is very gentle on the grapes. The result is a mineral, light rosé, full of Pinosity and great fun. Though light and more like a white than a red or traditional rosé in body, it is intense and racy and mineral. I liked this very much. I can't wait to try the 2008!
*Wieninger Pinot Noir Select 2004 13% abv; c.20€
Smells like hot chocolate and completely manages to hide any Pinosity that might be there. I find it amazing that the same wine maker that makes one of the best rosés that I have had and one that is so full of Pinosity also manages to make this red that seems like a bad caricature of the OTT Californian Pinot except lacking the harsh alcohol!
*Fred Loimer Langenlois Dechant Pinot Noir 2006 13,5% abv; c.30€
This has the reputation of being one of the best Austrian Pinot Noirs. Cynic that I am, all to often when I hear the "best" of some area not well known for growing the grape, the picture I get in my mind is that of an over-oaked, spoof-monster. This PN from Kamptal wasn't that bad. It actually did have lovely Pinosity, beetrooty fruit and even some earthy scents to provide some savoury counterpoint to the fruit-forward Pinosity. Medium-full body, a bit on the soft side and thus betraying its origins from a hot year. So with all this goodness, I have to wonder why a layer of oak that smells like hot-chocolate was deemed appropriate to add onto it? I can very well understand that this wine has its fans (lovely, lovely Pinosity). But for those of us who fail to see why obvious oak should be a positive thing: don't bother.