Klosterkeller Siegendorf Austrian Pinot BlancTrockenbeerenauslese 1979,
half bottle, Burgenland, 14% alcohol by volume, Jost von Hopler
selection, imported by Accent Wine & Spirits, Houston,Texas,
Burgenlandische Weinpramiierung gold medal seal, 1981.

The wine is of medium golden color, about the same expected for Yquem of
like age. It is still rather fresh and I could detect no excessive
oxidation. In ths respect, it is about at the same point that Yquem
would be at the same age. It has more of the body of a Sauternes than a
German TBA, likely because of the high alcohol content for a TBA. But
here comparisons with Yquem stop. The bouquet and taste are not as
intense as a top TBA or Sauternes. It reminds me of melon and pineapple.
There also is honey. It is extremely sweet. For my taste it could use a
bit more acid to balance the sweetness. Since I have tasted so few late
harvest Pinot Blancs, it is difficult to place this wine in the pecking
order of such wines. Then I must admit that I am highly prejudiced
toward late harvest Rieslings. This wine came from a very unfortunate
era in the Burgenland. I can detect nothing foreign to wine in the
bouquet and taste, but some things do not show up in smell and taste. I
even put some in a large brandy sniffer to see if I could detect
anything foreign.



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