Martin Muthenthaler Gruner Veltliner Vergelt's Gott 2017

Martin Muthenthaler is a winegrower who, influenced by his teacher Veyder-Malberg and his 20 years at the famed Domaine Wachau, does not follow the typical Smaragd, Ferderspiel and Steinfeder labels. He instead dedicated himself fully to independently describing the authentic expression of each of his plots in Spitzer Graben. With the cold climate, rocky terrain and minimal yields, he produces deliciously vibrant and exquisitely mineral wines. Muthenthaler eventually started a little wine bar to introduce locals to his wares, and from that humble beginning, he's now produced vintage after vintage critically-lauded Gruner Veltliner that has put him at the pinnacle of white winemaking in Austria!

This wine, a rarity to see in the U.S., and should be on every dry white lovers short list. Several years ago, Martin had the misfortune of a really bad harvest, and only had enough grapes to make one Gruner Veltliner bottling. He had to blend older and younger fruit from the Bruck and Schön vineyards, and out of necessity, came a revelation that he really liked the balance and complexity of the wine. Vergelt's Gott (directly translated as "God's reward", but generally used as a form of "thank you") is the name Muthenthaler gave the wine, and he has continued to produce a bottling under this name ever since.

The 2017 is a blend from 20 and 40 year old vines, fermented in a combination of 1 new and 2 old, large Austrian barrels, and aged in old Austrian barrels. The wine goes through malolactic fermentation. This is the kind of Gruner that is clearly on another level, and does more than most young Gruners I've tasted to make a convincing argument that Gruner Veltliner is truly capable of producing exquisite and high quality white wine, as many die-hard fans of Austrian wines already know well. The palate is constantly evolving, and there is a delightfully LONG finish. A compelling wine!

We have about 15 cases to sell! While it lasts...!