Huber at Annual Tasting of Austrian Wines‏

At last year's LIWF, I was lucky enough to meet the very youthful and talented Markus Huber of Weingut Huber and taste my way through his wines (see here for that review), from just outside the Wachau in Traisental.

Part of the Austria's Fine Brands group headed by Michael Thurner, he was represented at this year's Annual Tasting of Austrian Wines, by his UK distributor, Mark Perna of Astrum Wine Cellars.

The wines on show, all from the cool and difficult 2010 vintage, were just starting to show well earlier this year at the event.

The Obere Steigen GV 2010 was neutral on the nose with none of Grüner signature white pepper; on the palate, there is citrus fruit, minerality and good structure.

The Reserve Alte Setzen GV 2010 showed white pepper on the nose, with sweet yellow stone fruit on the palate and a rounded, mouthfilling savouriness.

The Engelreich Riesling 2010, fermented in stainless steel, showed lemon and lime fruit and felt very pure, focused, balanced and elegant with a minerally finish.

The Reserve Berg Riesling 2010 is fermented in stainless steel then spends 5 months in large, neutral acacia barrels. It has a complex, expressive nose with touches of flintiness; on the palate, it feels rounded with zippy, zesty green fruit - gooseberries and limes - a savoury toastiness and a long mineral finish.

Recommended Wine

These wines will probably continue to improve with more time in bottle, but for now the Reserve Berg is showing best for its complexity and depth of flavour.

Links

Huber - http://www.weingut-huber.at/
Austria's Fine Brands - http://www.austriasfinebrands.com/
Astrum Wine Cellars - http://www.astrumwinecellars.com/