THE JEFFERSON CLUB - July 2020
This month, we explore a pedigreed estate in Austria’s Kamptal region: Weingut Brundlmayer Reed Lamm Gruner Veltliner 2018.
the jefferson club
Brundlmayer Kammener Lamm Gruner Veltliner 2018
Producer: Weingut Brundlmayer
Winemaker: Willi Brundlmayer
Region: AUT, Kamptal, Kammen, Lamm Vineyard
Grape Varietal: 100% Gruner Veltlienr
Viticulture: calcareous clay, loess, and siltstone; sustainably farmed on guyot
Method: short skin contact before pressing; aged on the lees in small and large neutral oak casks
Serving Suggestions: decant 30-60 minutes; serve at 40-45 F
Age: drink 2020-2038
Nose: smoke, yeast, citrus
Palate: lush body, vibrant acidity, rich fruit
Finish: crushed rock, lime, lingering acidity
The Jefferson Club at Just A Taste was devised to explore the iconic wines from across the world, as Thomas Jefferson so enthusiastically did while on the dime of the United States as an ambassador to Europe, and though there are endless expressions of exquisite wines enophiles embrace from France, Spain, and Italy, there is one country that has been making splashes in the wine scene as of late, particularly for its iconic whites: Austria. In recent years, Austria has gone about designating its iconic, pedigreed vineyards in a manner similar to the Grand Crus of Burgundy and Grosses Gewachs of Germany. Weingut Brundlmayer Kammener Gruner Veltliner 2018 comes from Ried Lamm, an Erste Lage, or Premier Cru level vineyard.
Why I am excited about this wine
Gruner Veltliner, as well as Austrian wines in general, went through a rough patch in the 1980s. Due to a few larger (and lower quality) producers using unsafe additives to give their wines a “zip”, many Austrian wines were recalled, and the resulting fallout damaged Austrian wineries reputations for a couple decades. However, when we take a closer look at the few producers focusing on transparent, austere white wines, they can hold their own against the most prestigious (and expensive) found anywhere else in the world. This Gruner was aged on the lees for an extended period and offers a rich, vibrant texture that is unparalleled. Drink it now or hold onto it for years (if you can!).
About Weingut Brundlmayer
Led by exceptionally talented viticulturist Willi Brundlmayer, Weingut Brundlmayer is a family estate focused on elevating the prestige of Austria’s Kamptal region vineyards. With several Erste Lage and Grosse Lage across their estate, they truly stand out as the pinnacle for wineries across Austria, and the rest of the world, to achieve.
About The Kamptal Wine Region
Check out our previous club offering: Schloss Gobelsburg in Kamptal. https://justatastemo.com/blog/gobelsburg