WTN: 2005 Nigl

Betsy was working matinee, I marinated some pork chops (sadly supermarket) in a white wine and garlic mix. Served on patio with leftover butternutsquash risotto and salad, the wine on a lovely September day was the 2005 Nigl "Kremser Freiheit" Grüner Veltliner. I found a little less fruity but deeper than the 2004 version (which I liked a lot). Lots of damp rock and mineral notes, a little pepper and spice. Complex for an $11 wine. If the bottom end bottling is like this, the Privat must be great (I think Michael Pronay already praised it). Gotta find it! The basic bottling gets a B/B+, A- for value.


Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.

$11? Wow! I paid $28 for the 2004 here in Phoenix. Gotta find another source. Sounds like I would like the '05.

Doug, maybe you were buying the Alte Reben? It's between the Kremser Freiheit and the Privat in price. I've never paid more than $15 -even in expensive stores- for the KF.

Dale, as a matter of interest up here, we pay close to $30 Cdn just for entry level Nigl!!!

Unfortunately Dale (pricewise that is) it was the Kremser Freiheit. The store where I found it is an upscale grocery and sometimes it's wine prices are a bit high. I liked the KF, but would like it a lot better for $11.

All these notes have me thinking `05 Gobelsburger!! $25 Cdn and tasted a couple of times.

Never tasted this one, but from what little I have tasted I'll have to say that Nigl rocks! And I don't say rocks about many wines (though reading this board it may seem so, but that's only because I try to buy what I know I'll like ). I can still taste the Alte Reben GV 2004 in my mouth even though it's been almost a year since I had it. Thanks for the note. Reminds me that I should buy a mixed Austrian case again. I love the country, but drink much too little of it.

Nigl makes some ferocious riesling, too.

Doug,
even for expensive stores that's ridiculous. My local store had a sale for the $11, but Zachys has for $13. That's worth paying shipping (besides, tax saving can half shipping). Probably too hot for ground to Arizona, but if you wait a month?

Dave,
I love the Privat Riesling, but don't see the lower end Nigl Rieslings near as much as the GV.