Precious Little Gruner Veltliner 2020
- 92
- $25
- Drink by: 2021 - 2023
Share
From the Macclesfield sub-region in the Adelaide Hills, which seems to be ground zero for this variety in Australia, even if it is a long way from its traditional Austrian home. This is a very fine example for anyone keen to explore this grape and to see what it can offer. The vineyard actually sits between the villages of Lobethal and Charleston. The grapes are hand-harvested and then whole bunch pressed. A small amount is fermented in oak, the intention being to add complexity.
Yellow gold, the nose offers an array of characters – pears, stonefruits, a hint of grapefruit pith, nuts and minerals. There is bright acidity running the length. The palate is seamless and the pear notes emerge even more. Good concentration, impressive length and I love the texture.
Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
