1999 Riesling Schutt Smaragd

A little muted on the nose then very hot and a bit simple on the palate. Too alcoholic? – 13.5% according to the label. It's all a bit much for me. (JR)

Expressive aromas of minerals, stones, gravel, verbena, and apples can be discerned in the nose of the 1999 Riesling Smaragd Durnsteiner Ried Schutt. The wine is light to medium-bodied, zesty, and elegant. It has tangy lemon, flower, spice, herb, and mineral flavors. While its compact, concentrated core strains to reveal as little as possible, it is obvious this wine will be stunning in 6-7 years. Projected maturity: 2008-2020. While Americans can be found knocking on the doors of Burgundian estates every day of the year, only 5-10 per year stop at Weingut Emmerich Knoll. This statistic is bound to change as Americans come to appreciate the stunning wines Austria, and this winery, produce regularly. One of Austria's finest wineries, Knoll produces ageworthy wines that are more restrained and elegant than their good friend (and competitor) F. X. Pichler. Importer: Vin Divino, Chicago, IL; tel. (773) 334-6700

Apricot and plum aromas with a subtle whiff of sea breeze. In the mouth, there is a rich, creamy core of pit fruits seasoned with brown spices and a salty sense of mineral extract. Long, sweet persistence of fruit is accompanied by accents of apricot kernel and lemon pit and clinging salts and spices.