Arndorfer, "Gruner Veltliner Strasser Weinberge Kamptal" 2018

From within one of the oldest, most globally recognized fine-wine regions of Austria, and from within two of their more prominent families, emerge Martin and Anna Arndorfer of Weingut Arndorfer whose enterprise carries with it the legacy of Kamptal’s elegant and powerful Grüners & Rieslings though on markedly more modern, experimental, and – of course – natural terms. The Kamptal is a region of Austria within Lower Austria (Neiderosterreich) and is, despite the name, in the northeast of the country. It is a region defined by river valleys and complex geologic fans of ancient volcanic deposits and a topsoil of decomposed loess. The main river of the region is the one after which it is named: the Kamp. Distinguishing the appellation into a kind of binary – though its gifts are manifold – west of the river is Langenlois and east of the river is Straß im Straßertale, the two principal wine-growing areas of the Kamptal river valley. In the latter, the Arndorfer wines stand out for their spiritual clarity – that is, their excellence exemplified by wines with bright acidity paired with some power  – in addition to their experimental devotion. It is our utmost privilege and pleasure to present to you these new wines of an old region, imbued with the kind of honesty we love nothing more than to spotlight.

Tasting: This is a gorgeous “village wine” Gruner from Weingut Arndorfer in Austria’s Kamptal, a classification of bottling that is reserved for wines meant to express all the aspects of the grape variety and the village’s unique terroir. Smells like green apple and wildflowers. Bright acid and solid, crisp structure. Ends on a note of black pepper that tickles the tongue. Another summer white to brighten your day.

Vinification: 100% Gruner Veltliner hand-harvested from 4 different vineyard sites with vines ranging in age from 20-61 years-old grown in soils ranging in composition from rocky loess to dark, chalky clay and deeper loess. South facing at altitudes of 214m-330m. Whole-bunch direct-pressed, spontaneously fermented with ambient yeasts in large neutral barrels. Élevage is 11 months in large neutral barrels and stainless steel. Unfined, “smart filtered” (fine metal mesh), with minimal SO2 at bottling