Riesling Heiligenstein Lyra
2012
92 p. Robert Parkers "The Wine Advocate", May 2014, review by David Schildknecht
Sappy, fresh and invigorating in its evocations of fresh lime and grapefruit, white peach and pineapple, the Brundlmayer’s 2012 Riesling Heiligenstein Lyra displays exuberance and fruit intensity often associated with this bottling from Y-trellised vines, but with lift, invigorating, and sheer refreshment that I have seldom observed it to deliver even in relatively high-acid vintages. Pungent green herbs and piquant raw nuts add to the stimulation of a prolonged, vibratory finish. Plan to follow it through at least 2020.
95 p. Wine Enthusiast 01/2014
Called Lyra because of the lyre-shaped vine training, this is a classic wine. Still very closed, it is currently all potential. The acidity, the tight and taut texture, and the hidden richness all point to a wine with a great future. Drink from 2017.
2008
Brilliant clean nose, elder berry flowers and fresh exotic fruits like citrus, abricots, peaches, and tangerines, crisp and tightly structured, multi-layered texture, powerful yet very elegant, fresh on the palate, here also flavors of citrus, stone fruit with flowery and spicy components; direct yet complex, very long mineral finish; exceptional wine.
2007
Expressive nose flowery and exotic fruits like abricots, peaches, and tangerines tight structure, multi-layered texture, powerful yet fresh on the palate, here also flavors of citrus, stone fruit with flowery and spicy components; very complex, alcohol well balanced by refreshing acidity and mineral character, very long finish; exceptional wine.
2004
There´s a nice purity to the mineral and spiced fruit flavors, with notes of lemon-lime, gala apple and peach. Firm finish lingers with well-defined freshness. (Wine Spectator 2006)
2003
This is the first occasion I can recall when the Lyra bottling is the most impressive of Bründlmayer´s Heiligenstein trio. The V-shaped canopy may have given the fruit some advantageous shade as well as enhanced ventilation. For whatever reason, here we have an infectious juiciness; a smoky, pungent, peppery Urgestein minerality; and slight, well-integrated sweetness that underscores the flavors of sweet herbs, flowers, peach and tropical fruit. Opulent, intense and overtly ripe, this displays an interesting interplay of flavors and bell-clear finish. (Stephen Tanzer´s International Wine Cellar)
2002
The name refers to Bründlmayer´s trellising method, a Y-shaped system that looks "as if the vine is throwing its arms up toward the heavens," says Willi. This system also more than doubles the leaf-surface exposed to sunlight and encourages quick drying of leaf and grape alike after a rain. Willi also wants to demonstrate you don´t need old vines to make great wine.
But there´s more. "Lyra is the wine of the sun", says Willi, "the brainchild. Whereas Alte Reben is the wine of the soil, the darker underground. You drink each wine with a different part of yourself." What a lovely thing to say.
What an amazing wine to drink! Lemon-blossom aromas, wonderful ripeness and as always contained and judicious. A spiritually passionate wine, or perhaps rather sensually passionate only if one realizes sense is the fingertip of spirit. A pupil-dilatingly zingy interplay of berry, leaf and mineral. (Terry Theise Selections/Michael Skurnik Wines, NY)
2002
Tasty, bright and focused, with apple, peach and stone flavours pulsing through a firm, medium-weight frame. Drink now through 2010. (Wine Spectator 2004, Bruce Sanderson)
2001
Medium straw. Very ripe nose with elegance rather than power; not that mineral but delightfully honeyed and graceful. Very rich, rounded - not that much varietal typicity because of its lushness. Firm, spicy finish and admirable concentration. Drinking well now but has good acidic backbone and will keep. Good length. (Stephen Brook, The world of fine wine 5/2005)
2001
Rich, honeyed, generous nose. A palate with ripeness manifested by rondeur and structure by acidity. Earthy notes an a grip on the finish. Firm, uncompromising but strangely gentle. (Simon Field, The world of fine wine 5/2005)
1997
Medium straw. Elegant nose of apricots, tangerines, Aix almond cakes. Rich but lively, perfectly fresh. Lovely fruit here, forceful but not overwhelming, with a strong mineral bite. (Stephen Brook, The world of fine wine 5/2005)
1997
Meaty, almost resinous notes on the nose. An uncopromising and powerful example, densely textured yet deftly handled. Lovely, honeyed, creamy wine with notes of vanillin and spice. A delicious and impressive wine. (Simon Field, The world of fine wine 5/2005)
1997
Exotic and ripe, bursting with quince and pear, it´s rich and intense... (Wine Spectator)
