TN: 2003 Franz Hirtzberger Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Honivogl

Corey_N · January 4, 2018, 1:54am

2003 Franz Hirtzberger Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Honivogl - Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau (1/3/2018)
Pours a medium yellow. On pop and pour the nose is marked by an unpleasant petrol aroma, but after an hour it transforms into smoke, green pepper and minerals. The palate is smoky, with grapefruit, minerals and a vegetal streak that seems to gather at the midpalate. There’s a significant density on the palate, but the acidity provides a nice counterbalance. Finishes with a wooly note that I associate with Chenin Blanc.

A very interesting wine, but not in my wheelhouse. To my tastes fully mature/slightly past peak.

Alan_Rath · January 4, 2018, 6:14am

Haven’t had this particular wine, but the combo of producer (tends toward bigger, riper wines), and vintage would predict the bottle being well into maturity.