Schloss Gobelsburg - Grüner Veltliner Ried Steinsetz 2021

The Zwettl Monastery was founded in 1074 and in 1171 the Monks of Zwettl were granted their first vineyards: Heiligenstein & Gaisberg–the oldest documented sites in the Kamptal. The estate and Castle Gobelsburg were controlled by as many as 19 different families between 1074 and 1740, and in 1786 absorbed the famous Kammern Winery and vineyards. Two hundred years later Eva and Michael Moosbrugger were granted the winemaking and vinicultural contract in 1996, and with the help and guidance of Michael’s mentor Willi Bründlmayer, the winery regained its prestige and is considered to be a leader in quality and innovation. In 2006 Michael Moosbrugger was awarded as ‘WINEMAKER OF THE YEAR’ by the Austrian magazine Falstaff, the highest award given to an Austrian winemaker, and in 2009, 2010, and again in 2019 the estate was acknowledged as ‘ONE OF THE TOP 100 WINERIES OF THE YEAR’ by Wine & Spirits Magazine.

Schloss Gobelsburg maintains a large number of parcels in Erste Lagen, or 1st Growth, vineyards in the Kamptal, including the mineral-rich, crystalline slopes of the Gaisberg and Heiligenstein planted to Riesling, and the deep loess soils of Renner and Lamm planted to Grüner Veltliner. The winery continues to utilize organic winegrowing and has benefited from the fact that the monks of Zwettl Monastery began these practices as early as 1958.

While many international cellars are attempting to produce clean, uniform wines, Moosbrugger is convinced that the future Gobelsburg lies in individuality and character. As a high level of technology is necessary to warrant uniformity, Moosbrugger believes that individuality can only be achieved through the reduction of machines. Moosbrugger developed the ‘Dynamic Cellar Concept’ for Gobelsburg in which wines are no longer pumped from one location to the other but instead transported in ‘barrels on wheels’ from one section of the cellar to the other.

A hallmark of the estate is the ‘Tradition’ bottlings of Grüner Veltliner and Riesling. Having read the meticulous notations of the Cistercians at the estate over the past 150 years, Michi pays homage in his role as cellar master, responsible for the ‘education’ of his ‘pupils’ –wine- while leading them through élevage; as opposed to acting as ‘winemaker,’ whose decisions in present day Austria are generally to preserve aromatics and fruit through extremely reductive methods.

A single vineyard in the village of Gobelsburg, very close to the winery. Rather than the typical loess based soils that GV is typically grown in, Steinsetz is alluvial gravel with smooth, rounded river stones that would be at home in Ch. Neuf. This is a cooler site and produces wines that have more snap and less concentration than the other GV sites Ried Renner and Ried Lamm, which are all Erste Lagen. 100% natural ferment in large Manhatsberg (Austrian local oak from the Kamptal) oak cask, left to mature for ten months before bottling.

“The 2021 Ried Steinsetz Kamptal offers a very clear, fresh and elegant, spicy and even flinty bouquet of white fruits and crushed stones. Round and dense on the palate, this is a medium to full-bodied, lush and elegant Gruner Veltliner with intense fruit and a mild texture. The acidity is ripe and elegant and combines with fine phenolic grip on the finish. Pretty intense and with good length. Best After 2022.” - 92 Points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

“An impressive, complex wine, with kumquat, quince, lentil and peach underscored by a layer of salty minerality on the sleek, round palate, gaining freshness from notes of cilantro and green herbs. Builds in power, with a jolt of electric acidity guiding the finish.” - 92 Points, Wine Spectator

Producer: Schloss Gobelsburg

Country: Austria

Region: Niederosterreich

Varietal: Grüner Veltliner

Appellation: Niederosterreich

Vintage: 2021

Size: 750ml