88
2012 Quinta de Azevedo, Vinho Verde
£5.99, 11%, Majestic
If summer ever arrives in the UK - come to think of it, spring would be welcome, too - this is a wine that I'd be happy to have in my fridge or ice bucket. Crisp and aromaitic, with notes of fresh limes and lemon peel, showing a touch of spritz and tastebud-tingling acidity. Tangy and light, it's the sort of wine I could drink all afternoon. Portugal at its value for money best.
Available from (as of date of review): Majestic
Drinking window: 2013-14
95
2009 Gut Oggau Bertholdi, Burgenland
POA, 13.3%, Dynamic Wines
For me this is the crowning glory of the Gut Oggau range. Single vineyard Blaufränkisch is left on its stems and stalks for 6 weeks, resulting in a structured, complex, yet impressively balanced wine. "Hot", rubber-tyre character to the nose, very focused ripe yet elegant red fruit. The finish lasts and lasts, staying fresh and slightly saline to the very end.
Available from (as of date of review): Dynamic Wines
Drinking window: 2012-2022
93
2011 Gut Oggau Timotheus, Burgenland
POA, 13%, Dynamic Wines
Just like the caricature on the label, this is a big broad wine. White peaches, apricot and kiwi flavours are all brilliantly knitted together with a moreish creamy, nutty texture. Some skin contact and maturation in large, old oak barrels has provided body and structure.
It's different enough to make you sit up and notice, without being remotely scary or "difficult". Limestone soil.
Available from (as of date of review): Dynamic Wines
Drinking window: 2013-2020
90
2010 Gut Oggau Atanasius, Burgenland
POA, 12%, Dynamic Wines
Although this is effectively Gut Oggau's entry level red, there's quite a serious intent to the dark leathery fruit aromas. The fruit is lively, with blackberries dominating the flavour. Elegant tannins lend gravitas to what is a fairly light style. Sandy/gravel soil.
Available from (as of date of review): Dynamic Wines
Drinking window: 2012-2016
90
2010 Gut Oggau Joshuari, Burgenland
POA, 13%, Dynamic Wines
Joshuari shows the slightly nervy side of Blaufränkisch, with rather tight but elegant berry fruit. Like all of Gut Oggau's wines, it tastes terrifically fresh, with fruit pips and minerality on the finish.
Available from (as of date of review): Dynamic Wines
Drinking window: 2013-2018
90
2009 Gut Oggau Mechtild, Burgenland
POA, 13%, Dynamic Wines
Mechtild is one of two single vineyard wines made at Gut Oggau, in this case 60 year old Grüner Veltliner. There's a salty, iodine tang on the nose, yielding to a fat, creamy palate. Fresh acidity and a lovely mineral finish.
Available from (as of date of review): Dynamic Wines
Drinking window: 2012-2015
89
2011 Gut Oggau Winifred, Burgenland
POA, 12%, Dynamic Wines
Made from a field blend of Bläufrankisch and Zweigelt, and with a wonderful burnished rose hue. There's an exotic aroma of wild strawberries, and attractive herbaceous character to the lightweight fruit. Just when you think this might be another simplistic summer rosé, it builds to a more complex savoury finish.
Available from (as of date of review): Dynamic Wines
Drinking window: 2012-2014
89
2011 Gut Oggau Emmeran, Burgenland
POA, 13.5%, Dynamic Wines
This is the only wine in the Gut Oggau range which defines itself by a single grape variety. There's no mistaking the Gewurztraminer on the nose: delicate rose petal and intense lychee aromas dominate. The limestone soil has given this a satisfying "wet stone" finish. It's bone dry, with just enough acidity to keep things fresh.
Available from (as of date of review): Dynamic Wines
Drinking window: 2012-2014
90
2011 Gut Oggau Theodore, Burgenland
POA, 12%, Dynamic Wines
Terrific freshness in this blend of Grüner Veltliner and Weissburgunder (AKA Pinot Blanc) – a beguiling hint of onion skin on the nose gives way to a creamy and slightly vegetal palate, and a mineral finish. This wine spent a few days on the skins, giving it just a bit more structure and body than you might expect.
Available from (as of date of review): Dynamic Wines
Drinking window: 2012-2014
91
2011 Reuilly, Les Coignons, Denis Jamain, Loire Valley
£14.25, 12.5%, Berry Brothers
A Reuilly that tastes as good as a lot of much more expensive Sancerres and, crucially for a 2011, doesn't suffer from the earthy, grey rot-like notes that damaged the Loire in that vintage. Subtle, flinty, yet ripe, with good almost Graves-like concentration and notes of goosberry and minerals. Try ageing it for a year or two, as you would a Pessac-Léognan. It might surprise you.
Available from (as of date of review): Berry Brothers
Drinking window: 2013-15