Grüner In A Head-Turning Vintage
2013 Alzinger Grüner Veltliner
Steinertal Smaragd
Rigor, Finesse and Clarity
The 2013 vintage in Austria is simply beautiful.
Since the 2007 vintage, I've been waiting for a vintage like 2013. It's that pure, balanced and impressive.
It goes without saying that Alzinger's are some of the most impressive wines to come out of Austria in 2013. They are also just ridiculously limited. With just 10ha, Alzinger is always hard to find in quantity, but 2013 is the most difficult.
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We always love Alzinger's wines for their calm precision, their detail and their radiant clarity. No one in Austria does it better. In 2013, the inherent nature of the vintage amplified these qualities. The wines are brilliant.
Along with Kellerberg and Singerriedel, Steinertal is the Wachau's best site. It produces supremely mineral, elegant and complex wines. The combination of deeply etched fine-ness and insane length is something that we never tire of.
It's this rigorous, mineral spine and finesse that makes Steinertal one of our favorite Grüners. With Prager's Stockultur, Alzinger's Steinertal is one of the most pointed, energetic and detailed Grüners around. It's exactly what we want from a Grüner (though the layered complexity of Hirtzberger's Honivogel can't be denied.)
The 2013 Grüner Steinertal is a gorgeous and deeply compelling example of just how important the vintage is. It's so clear in its mineral drive and deep, agile palate presence. It's by far the most exciting young example of the wine that I can remember tasting.
If I had to reduce my Austrian buying to a single producer, it would have to be Alzinger. And Steinertal is the site. I find myself in the difficult position of knowing that this is a vintage to go deep on while also knowing just how small the quantities are. Please give us you ideal order and we'll try our best.
To order, reply to offers@crushwineco.com or call the store at (212) 980-9463.
Joe Salamone
Wine Buyer
Crush Wine & Spirits