Austrian Rosé -- questions about Gobelsburg and request for recommendations

WINE TALK
1

I’ve gotten into Austrian wines over the past two years or so. I have a pretty good sense of what I like in terms of Riesling, GV, Blaufrankisch, and Zweigelt. But I tasted an excellent Zweigelt rosé at a wine shop a few weeks ago that made me want to learn more about the category. I’ve done a few searches on this forum, and several people have recommended Schloss Gobelsburg’s rosé. I purchased two bottles of Gobelsburg rosé but was surprised to see the label when it arrived today: it is labeled “Schlosskellerei Gobelsburg”, whereas the other bottles of Gobelsburg I’ve had were labeled “Schloss Gobelsburg.”

I did a bit of research but still have a few questions:

  1. There doesn’t actually seem to be a “Schloss Gobelsburg” rosé. Weingut Schloss Gobelsburg produces wine under several different labels. They produce at least two rosés: they make a “Cistercian Rosé” under the label Schlosskellerei Gobelsburg. And they make another Rosé under the label Domaene Gobelsburg. Which of these have people tasted? Is one made using estate fruit and the other not? Any preferences between the two?

  2. What other Austrian rosés do people recommend?

Thanks in advance.

2

I received the 2014 “Cistercian Rosé” yesterday but have not tasted it. The 2013 of this was so good we bought the 2014 untasted. The label looks a little different this year, but I can confirm what I had last year was also the “Cistercian”.

3

One interesting thing I am seeing on Wine-Searcher is that retailers do not seem to be distinguishing between the two Gobelsburg Rosés under the current labeling scheme, which is unfortunate given that they are not only different wines but contain different grapes: the Cistercian is a blend of Zweigelt and St. Laurent, while the Domaene Rosé is 100% Zweigelt. However, it appears that the Cistercian Rosé was labeled as “Gobelsburger” until this year, so I assume that anything sold as 2014 “Gobelsburger” Rosé is actually the Schlosskellerei Gobelsburg Cistercian Rosé rather than the Domaene Gobelsburg bottling.

4

I’ve never seen the Domaene wine. Perhaps they sell it in Europe only?

5

Zachy’s has it: http://zachys.com/retail/ProductView.aspx?R=397901&N=4294966823+4294966255+9&Ny=64

6

Interesting. And the two wines are priced pretty much the same.

7

That’s correct, and this is the one that I’ve had and raved about. The 2013 was really something, the best vintage I’ve seen so far. The 2014 is pretty delicious as well.

8

I know Schloss GOBELSBURG very well, but I have to admit that I´m absolutely no great fan of Rosé wines in general - so I didn´t care so far for this (and never tasted it).

Wines labelled Schloss Gobelsburg are exclusively from the own vineyards (and usually from the best sites and from older vines), while labels Schlosskellerei Gobelsburg use partially purchased grapes or grapes from contracted growers or from own younger vines and easier sites.
The cistercien rosé is made from Zweigelt and St.Laurent grown on cooler sites in Gobelsburg and Langelois, vinified without malolactic

9

I had a Meinklang rose the other day. Nothing extravagant, but a good quaffable, slightly frizzante rose. It is fuller bodied than a typical Provence rose. Heavy enough to hold up to food pretty well.

10

I went through almost two cases of the Cistercian rose last summer. Highly enjoyable (and popular with our friends) wine for the beach and deck. At a fair price.

11

Nigl makes a good one (and a sparkling one as well). I think Brundlmeyer does as well, though I may be thinking of sparkling rose there too.

12

I like Heidi Schrock’s roses if you are open to something from Burgenland.