Gross’s 2006 Sauvignon Blanc Nussberg smells of caraway, sage, and mint, fills the palate with juicy, satisfyingly bright fruit, and lays down impressive salty, stony mineral traces along with the pungency of caraway, resinous herbs, and lime zest in the finish. This illustrates the combination of density of material with vivacity, elegance, and lift that is possible with Styrian wines from top sites, and is especially impressive in consideration of a difficult vintage, despite which Gross fearlessly – and, as is now evident, wisely – kept this wine in cask for 18 months. I did not visit Steiermark this year, but nonetheless had an opportunity to taste a portion of Alois Gross’s 2007s with him.Importer:Vin Divino, Chicago, IL; tel. (773) 334-6700