I had an interesting wine that, while quite humble, I think would be of interest here. My local shop found this in the back, and given that it’s an 11 yr old entry level Gruner, marked it down from $20 to $4.99. This is the sort of wine that I would expect is intended for consumption within a few years, and yet, it was fantastic! I did have a 29 yr old Gruner once that was wonderful, but I usually don’t think of it as a varietal that is known for aging. So I’m not sure if this wine is a testament to the ageability of Gruner or the benefits of screw cap. Probably both. Anyway, here is my TN:
I knew this was a winner from the moment I opened it. Pale straw and little green in the glass. On the nose: super fresh white flowers, grapefruit flesh, grapefruit pith, fresh lemons, and chalky white stones. It smells so refreshing. In the mouth, the wine is fresh, lively, very high in acid, and has a slight prickle of residual CO2 that I don’t mind at all. Flavors of lime, underripe pear, very floral/aromatic, and a touch of pyrazine greenness. It is super clean and fresh, like a crisp cold stream. And while I haven’t had a young version, I do think there are some deeper subtle caramelly complexities that the wine has gained from age. My bet is that this is evolving in a positive direction despite its humble label and that it will easily last to 15 years old and be the better for it. What a great surprise. If only I could find another…
