HUBER Wines from Austria

Today I worked with Markus Huber, winemaker and creative center of the wonderful Huber Wines of the Traisental district of Central Austria. Markus is young (27) and full of energy, although he was halfway through a two week trip and had been worn-out a bit. We met with clients, which included lunch at a local Med-style restaurant that suited the wines quite well. Over-all these wines are very well made with great expression and balance. Huber is one of the leading Austrian wines in the US.

For more information check the website of their import company - www.boutiquewines.info

Huber Tasting Notes:

All wines are form Traisental, Austria
Soil is a mix of loam and limestone
Location is between the Danube and the Alps – cool growing region
10 generations – with Markus heading the wine production for the past 7 years – he has studied in S. Africa (Fairview and Spice Route).

The three Gurner Veltliners really offer the opportunity to see three distinct styles and expressions of what this grape has to offer. There is value to tasting them side by side in order to compare and contrast...

Huber Hugo Gruner Veltliner, 2005
Pale Straw gold
Lime peel, flowers and fresh aromatics of wet-stone and chalk
Soft and crisp feel on the palate – the acid is carrying the fruit well with loads of lovely spice and lime/citrus flavors
Rolls along across the tongue with great crispness and intensity of flavors – almost candy fruits – more minerals
Long, carrying finish with an elegant chalky aftertaste.

Huber Gruner Veltliner Obere Steigen, 2005
Pale gold
Aromatically it has a bunch of fruit and bananas and yeast with some spicy tones and more minerals similar to the Hugo.
Softer on the plate than the above wine, but with a bit more elegance and depth of flavors – definitely higher tones and fruit quality
25 year old vines
Softer overall approach, but great wet-stone and white pit fruit flavors fill the finish, which is medium-long

Huber Gruner Veltliner Alte Setzen, 2004
Pale straw
50% aged in large, neutral Acacia barrels, 50% in French 2nd and 3rd fill French barrique
Flowers, bananas, peach and apple on the nose
Really soft on the palate, but the acid is still carrying everything
Almost creamy flavors with good white pepper spice and more apples and bananas through the finish
Very elegant wine

Huber Riesling Von den Terrassen, 2002
Slight brassy color
Ripe apples and white peach aromatics with some faint petrol aromas
Smooth on the palate with a definite mineral characteristic wrapped around lemon peel and almond and bitter orange
Dry, fleshy, slight candy apple flavors – very intense and medium long on the finish

Huber Zweigelt, 2005
Vibrant purple color
Young, spicy, rustic, briary aromatics – fur and blackberries
Fleshy on the palate, but not overwhelming – medium-bodied
Similar to Dolcetto
Great, simple fruit that carries fro a medium, long period of time
Good young, easy drinking wine

Huber Gruner Veltliner Reserve, 2001
Vibrant purple/garnet – only slightly paler than the straight Zweigelt
Creamy, rich nose with deep berry flavors
Very rich on the palate with smooth fruit, light tannin structure
Tart raspberries and cherries carry through the finish that is medium-bodied and –long
Overall very good style and a surprisingly elegant, unique red

Huber Icewine Riesling, 2001
Deep amber, toffee color
Deep rich apricots and orange peel on the nose
Very fleshy and rich without being overly sweet – carries very well across the palate – great acidity and balance
Loads of delicate fruit – more oranges and toffee and some spice notes
Great length – peach cobbler and orange marmalade
Dryish, not too sweet, but full flavored
12.5 % alc – harvested at 98 g/l