The producer group Österreichische Traditionsweingüter (ÖTW) has been working for thirty years on a classification of the best vineyards, originally in the Kamptal, Kremstal, Traisental, and Wagram districts. They now have been joined by the Wien (Vienna) and Carnuntum districts, and hope is that eventually all wine districts in Austria will be covered.
So far the best vineyards have been classified ÖTW Erste Lage (First Growth), but work is being done now to try to pick out those First growths that will qualify as ÖTW Grosse Lage (Great Growth). It is expected that the ÖTW Grosse Lage will comprise about 5% of the vineyard surface and ÖTW Erste Lage will comprise about 15% of the vineyard surface
The wines from the ÖTW Erste Lage vineyards are marked on the label by a symbol with a a “1" followed by “ÖTW" linked together to look like a grape bunch.
The Gaisberg vineyard exists in three communes, Zöbing, Kammern, and Strass. I did not taste any Riesling from the Strass portion.
ALLRAM
2021 (Zöbing) Ried Gaisberg Riesling
Saline, medium-light, smooth, long, incipient peach. Screw cap closure. 13% stated alcohol. 92/A
DOLLE
2021 (Kammern) Ried Gaisberg Riesling
Beautiful, complex, mineral nose, some petrol and perfume. Petrol in mouth, long, mineral, good concentration. Screw cap closure. 13% stated alcohol. 93/A
Birgit EICHINGER
2021 (Zöbing) Ried Gaisberg Riesling
Round, saline, smooth, medium-light, some penetration, mineral, long, white nectarine, elegant. Cork closure. 13.5% stated alcohol. 93/A
HIEDLER
2021 (Kammern) Ried Gaisberg Riesling
Touch of lemon in flavors, good concentration. Fairly closed for now, though. Cork closure. 13% stated alcohol. 91+/A-
HIRSCH
2021 (Zöbing) Ried Gaisberg Riesling
Medium-full, round, yellow and white peach, good intensity, elegant, just a touch of sweet to round out. Screw cap closure. 13% stated alcohol. 93/A
SCHLOSS GOBELSBURG
2020 (Zöbing) Ried Gaisberg Riesling
White peach nose. Medium-weight, round, mineral, white peach, good definition, some firmness. Cork closure. 13% stated alcohol. 93/A
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