Opened this bottle on my wife’s birthday and paired it with grilled shrimp. We purchased this for $33 in 2005 during a visit to the winery. Recent vintages sell in the $75 range. This is one of Hirtzbergers prime sites. The vines were replanted between 1985 and 1990. In 2004, about 10% of the grapes were botrytized in this wine. The wine was aged 4 months in large Acacia barrels. This wine has developed very nicely. Light gold color. Aromas of honey and hibiscus. Lush on the palate with a fine underlying minerality. Notes of apples, pears and melons. This can still go a few more years in my opinion but this was my last bottle. 95 points.
I brought the 2015 to a tasting last night and thought it was a bit too ripe and full. Older vintages can be great, but in general, I tend to prefer his Riesling Singerriedel over the Grüner Honivogl…
Thread drift… I enjoy Gruner Veltliner and Hirtzberger makes one of the best, but after extensive side by side tastings during a visit to the Wachau last year, I realized that I far prefer the region’s Rieslings. In fact, I might prefer the Austrian rendition of Riesling more than any other area (with the caveat that I don’t drink GGs, given the pricing).
Given a choice, do you all like GV as much as the Rieslings?
I bought 2000, 2001, and 2002 from the estate along with the Axpoint. Wonderful wines and among the best of the Wachau. I do think they need more age than the Rieslings. I believe I still have a single bottle of the Brundlmayer 1983 Heiligestein Auslese Trocken.