Brundlmayer GV 2005--when to drink?

I have little experience with Gruner Veltliner, and none with this producer. But I couldn't resist a bottle of the Brundlmayer GV Berg-Vogelsang 2005 marked down to $18 (from, I think, $26). Anyway, I'd appreciate any opinions on this bottle, especially when to drink and food pairing ideas. It was the last bottle, but if I like it, should I go back for the Gobelsberg GV Steinmetz 2005 (think I've got that right), also marked down to $16? Thanks in advance.

[David M. Bueker]

Wow...a 2005 markdown already...

That particular bottling can be drunk any time between now and about 2010+. It's nothing serious, but a very nice, refreshing GV.

For Austrian Grüner Veltliner there's a very, very simple system to check whether you have a basic quaffing bottle, a medium wine or really serious stuff, able to age 10 or 20 years: Simply take a look at the alcohol level. As a rule of thumb, up to 11.5% is basic, 12 to 12.5% is medium, 13% up is serious stuff.

Btw, the Gobelsburger is Stein_s_etz.

Any similar guidance to be shared on '05 riesling aging? I found a couple of Heiligenstein on closeout as well (Brundlmayer [regular, not Lyra] and Gobelsburg) and took a shot. I know very little about Austrian riesling. thanks

In principle it's the same as with Veltliner. In the Wachau region you have the Steinfeder (up to 11%), Federspiel (11 to 12.5%) and Smaragd (12,5% and up) categories as guidelines.

The vineyard name of "Heiligenstein" almost always indicates superior quality, as it's traditionally regarded as the best in the Kamptal/Kremstal region. If a grower bottles riesling from there, he never intends a basic (and most certainly not a medium) wine.

Thanks, Michael. These are at 12.5 for the Brundlmayer and 13% for the Gobelsburg. I'll probably just lose them in the cellar for a number of years.

[David M. Bueker]

How the heck are 2005s on closeout? They just got here!

How the heck are 2005s on closeout? They just got here!

Assume that question is for me, David. They're not on closeout, exactly. I picked up the Brundlmayer at a liquor store I visit fairly often in the beach town of Ocean City, Maryland--which happens to have a shockingly fine selection, including all five First Growths in multiple vintages. The store has for the last two years offered end-of-summer special sales. They still get some traffic in fall and winter, though obviously not as much as summer, so I assume inventory reduction is part of the plan. But the owner also says he's looking to "make some new friends"--i.e., regular customers of course, but he's a very nice guy who's extremey knowledgeable and loves to talk wine. His plan worked on me last fall, and I've scored pretty well in the process. You might be interested in the 2004 Donnhoff and Muller-Catoir Kabinetts he's got at a little under $20. And a 2005 Gobelsburg Steinsetz GV at $16. Based on a rave you gave the 2003, I may have to go back for that one.

How the heck are 2005s on closeout? They just got here!

I happened to be at Marty's on the day they put lone bottles on Clearance of Theise wines that they got as samples but they werent going to carry.

[David M. Bueker]

Ok, that makes more sense.

Ocean City in winter is dead-er than Franco.

I would buy the '05 Steinsetz. I loved the whole '05 Gobelsburg range.

Ocean City in winter is dead-er than Franco.

Business falls off, certainly. But it's not nearly as dead as it used to be, except for the period between New Year's and Valentine's Day. With the smallish but significant influx of year-rounders in Ocean Pines and West O.C., and with seemingly every off-season weekend devoted to some official or unofficial convention (Corvette lovers, birders, bikers, etc.), you might be surprised if you haven't been in a while.

That particular bottling can be drunk any time between now and about 2010+. It's nothing serious, but a very nice, refreshing GV.

Yes. Very nice and refreshing, agree. But shouldn't you be drinking this stuff not just any time between now and 2010 but all the time between now and 2010?

I recently enjoyed a bottle of the 96. So no rush...