The Mantlerhof 2007 Gruner Veltliner Lossterrassen manages to combine an impressive sense of extract with juiciness and delicacy. This is like a crunchy and refreshing salad of a wine, suggesting cucumber, leafy greens, and snap peas, dusted with herbs and flower petals. I was surprised to find that this had as much as 12.5% alcohol. This coolly refreshing excellent value should prove highly versatile (and, in summer, practically irresistible and indispensable) over the coming 18-24 months. It is always a fascinating fun to chat and taste with Josef Mantler, who generously opens ancient bottles from his remarkable reserves for many of his visitors, especially in order to point to the complex virtues and longevity of difficult vintages. I am not sure whether 2007 will go down in his annals as difficult, but he certainly scored numerous successes this year. Mantler – who practices biodynamic viticulture – harvested most of this crop in late September and early October.Importer:Bill Mayer Age of Riesling Selections Imported by Valley View Wine Sales, Glen Ellen, CA; tel (510) 549 2444