Weingut is winery in German; Zöbinger
Heiligenstein is the vineyard in the Austrian region of Kamptal where this wine
comes from. We were briefly worried we might have picked up a sweet wine but,
unlike Germany, almost all Austrian Rieslings are made in a dry style.
Quite a developed dark gold colour.
The bouquet is a classically Riesling blend of petrol and honey; the sweetness
of the honey is not represented on the palate, quite dry. From 2004, already
with the weight and dimension of a more mature wine; very classy. The texture
is unusual; oily, but also with a suggestion of spritz. There are citrus notes
that clarify into lime. With time, there is a suggestion of toasted hazelnuts
(which I try to write off – this is not from the Mâcconais! But it is certainly
there). N1 keeps saying “banana and moisturiser”, but I certainly don’t get banana;
eventually she settles on coconut. A very fine Riesling; enough to keep us
arguing about its identity right through the bottle.
