Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards 2015 Gruner Veltliner Smaragd

The signature grape of Austria has found a home in Oregon and this example from Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards demonstrates what an elegant and complex wine this varietal can produce. Winemaker Stephen Reustle produced the first commercial Gruner in the US and his 2015 vintage bottlings include three different Gruners including this one made in the Smaragd style, a dry, late harvest wine with natural fermentation resulting in an alcohol above 12.5%. On the nose are notes of apple, dried apricot, papaya and fresh ginger mingling with light honeysuckle aromas. Bright flavors of Green apple and Meyer lemon are upfront on the palate, lingering until a minerality alluding to crushed gravel, notes of white pepper and a touch of saline present themselves on an elegant finish. This wine is perfectly balanced to sip on its own or enjoy with seafood, salad or Asian-spiced stir-fry.

AVA: Umpqua Valley, Oregon
SavorNW Award: Double Gold Medal 2017
Judges Score: 98 points
Price: $32

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