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$31.95
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Italy
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Trentino-Alto Adige
In stock, 12+ available
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Importer notes: "Kuenhof, owned by Peter and Brigitte Pliger, is one of the best white wine estates in Italy. Their steep, stony vineyards are in the part of the South Tyrol called the Val d'Isarco (or Eisacktal), not far from the border with Austria. They grow Sylvaner, Veltliner and Riesling organically, and their wines show an almost electric mineral character. If the duty of a great wine is to be distinctive, these wines stand out like beacons -- great terroir, careful grape-growing, brilliant winemaking, and extraordinary wines. The Pligers' Riesling vines were brought in from France, Germany and other producers in the Alto Adige. Riesling is now making a name for itself in Italy, and Pliger's 'Kaiton' bottling is one of the best. Lime-peel, flowers, petrol and an almost electric mineral character make this wine very exciting to drink; I am reminded of licking a nine-volt battery as a dare when I was younger. Bright balance of acidity and fruit. The name Kaiton is of Celtic origin, and was the name for the area around the estate."
Not yet reviewed; 2010 vintage rated 90 points by International Wine Cellar: "Pale straw-green with a golden tinge. Pure, bracing aromas of tangerine, lemon zest, green apple, minerals and iodine. At once concentrated and seamless, yet also fresh and vibrant, with densely packed flavors of white peach, lemon and wet stone. The finish is long and clean, displaying zippy minerality and zesty acidity."
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$31.95
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IWC 90
Italy
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Trentino-Alto Adige
In stock,
8
available
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List $39.00
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90 points Ian D'Agata (International Wine Cellar): "[$39 list] Pale straw-green with a golden tinge. Pure, bracing aromas of tangerine, lemon zest, green apple, minerals and iodine. At once concentrated and seamless, yet also fresh and vibrant, with densely packed flavors of white peach, lemon and wet stone. The finish is long and clean, displaying zippy minerality and zesty acidity. (Sep/Oct 2011)"
Importer notes: "Kuenhof, owned by Peter and Brigitte Pliger, is one of the best white wine estates in Italy. Their steep, stony vineyards are in the part of the South Tyrol called the Val d'Isarco (or Eisacktal), not far from the border with Austria. They grow Sylvaner, Veltliner and Riesling organically, and their wines show an almost electric mineral character. If the duty of a great wine is to be distinctive, these wines stand out like beacons -- great terroir, careful grape-growing, brilliant winemaking, and extraordinary wines... The Pliger’s Riesling vines were brought in from France, Germany and other producers in the Alto Adige. Riesling is now making a name for itself in Italy, and Pliger's 'Kaiton' bottling is one of the best. Lime-peel, flowers, petrol and an almost electric mineral character make this wine very exciting to drink; I am reminded of licking a nine-volt battery as a dare when I was younger. Bright balance of acidity and fruit. The name Kaiton is of Celtic origin, and was the name for the area around the estate."
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$29.95
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Italy
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Trentino-Alto Adige
In stock,
5
available
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Importer notes: "Kuenhof, owned by Peter and Brigitte Pliger, is one of the best white wine estates in Italy. Their steep, stony vineyards are in the part of the South Tyrol called the Val d'Isarco (or Eisacktal), not far from the border with Austria. They grow Sylvaner, Veltliner and Riesling organically, and their wines show an almost electric mineral character. If the duty of a great wine is to be distinctive, these wines stand out like beacons -- great terroir, careful grape-growing, brilliant winemaking, and extraordinary wines. The Pligers' Sylvaner plants came from Germany and the Alto Adige (Sylvaner is said to be originally from Austria). The Eisacktal is one of two places that grow excellent Sylvaner, the other being Franconia in Germany. Kuenhof's is outstanding. (The overall quality of Sylvaner from both of these two places is very high compared to the examples from Alsace, although some good wines are made there too.) The wine is medium to full-bodied, complex in aroma and flavor (pit-fruit, spices, hints of pea shoot), and shows electric liveliness on the palate."
Not yet reviewed; 2010 vintage rated 91 points by International Wine Cellar: "Bright, pale yellow-green color. White stone fruits, yellow apple, thyme, and an earthy nuance on the scented, subtle nose. Fruity, tactile and fairly intense, with a floral element lifting the yellow apple and nectarine flavors. Finishes with good juicy persistence and a hint of quinine. Very serious sylvaner from Kuenhof, who is probably the master of the variety in Italy."
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$27.95
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Italy
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Trentino-Alto Adige
In stock, 12+ available
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Importer notes: "Kuenhof, owned by Peter and Brigitte Pliger, is one of the best white wine estates in Italy. Their steep, stony vineyards are in the part of the South Tyrol called the Val d'Isarco (or Eisacktal), not far from the border with Austria. They grow Sylvaner, Veltliner and Riesling organically, and their wines show an almost electric mineral character. If the duty of a great wine is to be distinctive, these wines stand out like beacons -- great terroir, careful grape-growing, brilliant winemaking, and extraordinary wines.
100% Grüner (Green) Veltliner - the plants brought from Austria. (The appellation 'Veltliner' here can in fact include Roter (Red) Veltliner, or a blend of the two.) This variety shows a range of different flavors depending on where it's grown. I've found pepper, Ruby Red grapefruit, and a range of other aromas and flavors in various examples from Austria. The Pliger's bottling is in between the Riesling and the Sylvaner in weight, and it is silky and elegant on the palate with a very attractive balance between acidity and fruit flavors. The flavors are hard to describe, as is so often the case with very good wine, but include hints of peach, melon, and herbs. Intriguing and very long. I have not had aged examples but would think that it would do very well with 5 years or more in the bottle. (It has been suggested that the name Veltliner originally came from the Valtellina, not far from the Alto Adige.)"
Not yet reviewed; 2009 vintage rated 92 points by Wine Advocate: "The 2009 Veltliner is a wonderfully complex, nuanced white. Smoke, bacon fat, ash, crushed rocks and grapefruit are just some of the aromas and flavors that flow from this multi-dimensional, highly intriguing white. This is a compelling bottle in every way. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2016."
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