Description
Hahndorf Hill’s six-hectare vineyard is located at the edge of historic Hahndorf village and on the slopes of a gentle hill which, over a century ago, contained a slate quarry. It is very apparent when walking along the slopes of the vineyard blocks at Hahndorf Hill that slate forms a significant part of the mineral component of the soils.
The vineyard topsoils consist of a sandy-loam and red-clay blend, richly embellished with blue-red slate, quartz and ironstone intrusions. The subsoils comprise deep red clay. This abundance of diverse mineral components in the soil translates into a distinct mineral element in all their wines, which is especially beneficial for their Austrian varieties – such as Gruner Veltliner – at which they excel and have pioneered over the past 25 years.
The Adelaide Hills’ slow ripening, cool-climate environment allows for all their grapes to benefit from an extended ripening season with beautifully warm days and cold nights. This diurnal variation is a significant quality defining factor according to producers of these varieties in their native Austria. Hahndorf Hill believe in environmentally sustainable methods to bring out the finesse and vitality in their wines.
Their debut vintage of Gruner Veltliner (which they affectionately call “Gru”) was the first production of Gruner in South Australia. Huon Hooke of the SMH wrote of the debut vintage: ‘I was shocked by how authentic an Adelaide Hills gruner veltliner tasted. It’s a strikingly close replica of the Austrian model.’ Since then, their Gruners have been awarded numerous Gold Medals as well as three Trophies within Australia, with this wine being awarded 97 points by James Halliday. Commenting on the Gruner Veltliner journey, James Halliday wrote: ‘2010 marked the first release of a South Australian gruner veltliner and Hahndorf Hill has led the way ever since.’
This is Hahndorf’s “New World” style of Gruner Veltliner – the winemaking processes encourages this wine to express all the full and exciting range of aromatics and flavours that this exciting variety is able to offer. So, although it is very aromatic and flavoursome, it is still completely dry. The sense of palate ‘sweetness’ is purely due to the intensity of the fruit flavours.
The nose is bursting with mouth-watering citrus and tropical aromatics and the palate is a vibrant tumble of guava, nectarine, ruby-grapefruit and gentle spice. This is all held together with a super-juicy acidity and the all-important textural rub. Perfect with all Asian cuisine, all white meats, vegetarian dishes, seafood, and soft cheeses. 13.5% alc.
This new release has already racked up an amazing list of awards!
94 points, James Halliday, Wine Companion: “A mid-March harvest (three weeks later than average) produced exceptional fruit. Hand picked, free-run juice separately fermented, pressings held and back blended, the amount determined by tasting. Tropical fruits play a role in the complex, gently honeyed flavours, with juicy acidity just when and where it’s needed. Drink by 2032.”
Top Gold Medal – Royal Adelaide Wine Show 2023
Gold Medal – AWC Vienna International Wine Challenge 2024, Austria
Gold Medal – Rutherglen Wine Show 2023
Silver Medal – London Wine Competition 2024
RRP $27 Our Special Price $21.99 when you buy 6 or more of this wine
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