Ried Käferberg Grüner Veltliner 1.ÖTW DAC 2020

The Käferberg vineyard in Langenlois is the absolute top in the Kamptal. At 310 to 345m above sea level, the Grüner Veltliner vines stand on sand, clay and gneiss. The vines are quite heterogeneous with 15 to 57 years of age. The planting density is given as 4000 - 6000 per hectare and varies within the vineyards. The result is a yield of 45hl per hectare in 2020.

The year 2020 got off to a very dry start. It was not until May that the eagerly awaited rain came and kept coming at regular intervals. With a good, regular water supply, it was possible to ensure that the grapes remained healthy until August. There were no extreme heat outbreaks in the summer. The interaction of man, animal and plant in the cycle of biodynamics comes into its own in such a year.

At the end of September to the beginning of October, the grapes were selectively harvested by hand in 20kg crates. The must was left on the skins for 24 hours and finally the whole grapes were pressed. This was followed by spontaneous fermentation in 1250 and 2500 litre oak barrels for four weeks at a maximum of 24°C. For eleven months the wine was allowed to mature without sulphurisation on the full lees in the oak barrels before, after an initial racking, it spent a further nine months on the fine lees in the steel tank. During this step, too, very little sulphur was used. In June 2022, the wine was finally bottled without filtration.

Rich golden yellow, sparkling in the glass, with greenish reflections

2020 Ried Käferberg Grüner Veltliner by Loimer carries a wonderful, adult fragrance into the world. No unnecessary fruit, very balanced herbal spiciness, but honest, masculine and balsamic tones in the glass. Light tobacco leaves and dried bay leaves set clear accents. Marjoram, a little lemon thyme, oregano and savory add spice and ethereal, cooling elements. A hint of undergrowth, in combination with the ethereal tones, provides ample associations with the woods. The seeds of caraway, coriander and fennel add additional accents. Delicately, a little artichoke escapes in the glass, making it seem incredibly complex. Lime zest adds fresh accents, while delicate yellow apples provide a tart fruity note.

On the palate, it first puts aside the dark spiciness. Full of finesse and a wonderful fruit-acid play on the palate, it enlivens the first sips. A multitude of pome fruit pairs with all kinds of stone fruit and citrus freshness. At the same time, it seems stony, almost salty, and thus slowly builds up the dark features again. With pleasant bitterness, it shows off the advantages of its maceration period. The coolness is decisive, yet the wine is very easy to drink. A wine full of depth and complexity that seems to turn the aroma wheel endlessly, if only one could give it the time to do so. In the finish, the fruit now gets some competition. The ethereal seeds and herbs come to the fore again.