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While we would never recommend one judge a wine solely by the points it recieves from one critic or another, we do understand that these scores can help as a guide when you are exploring wines you may not be familiar with. And if ever there was an influential and respected guide, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate is it. In the most recent issue (#166), the Austrian wine expert, David Schildknecht, gives his reviews of the current vintage of Austrian wines. His coverage is exhaustive, and we would highly recommend you check out the complete report for yourself by subscribing to either the print or online version of Wine Advocate.

David Schildknecht had not had a chance to visit Heinz Velich in several years, but after this tasting proclaimed him to “produce Austria’s most distinguished Chardonnay as well as extraordinary nobly sweet wines.” Here are some selections from the wines he reviewed (NOTE: The reviews are by Mr.Schildknecht, the related suggestions are ours)

Velich Welschriesling Trockenbeerenauslese 2002 95 points
The 2002 Welschriesling Trockenbeerenauslese smells of ethereal botrytism and pure honey with candied pineapple and brown sugar, then comes onto the palate supercharged and viscous, bearing an incredible 400 gram load of residual sugar. How does it balance? Resin, malt, and honey mark the long intense finish. In viscosity and intensity – though not in its particular set of flavors – this is like a Tokaji Essencia.
Try the 1999 Welschriesling Trockenbeerenauslese

Velich Welschriesling Trockenbeerenauslese 2004 91-94 points
Still in cask, like its BA counterpart, the 2004 Welschriesling Trockenbeerenauslese displays remarkable clarity and brightness of fruit to go along with viscous, jammy essences. There is a fine spiciness as well as creamy texture and a long, evocative finish of peach, pineapple, honey, and nut oils. Time will tell whether it is a greater wine than the BA, but it is indeed superb.
Try the 2001 Welschriesling Trockenbeerenauslese

Velich Beerenauslese 2002 94 points
The 2002 Beerenauslese, a cuvee of Chardonnay with Welschriesling and Bouvier, smells of apricot nectar with a hint of burnt sugar frosting. Lovely peach and apricot nectar laced with invigorating grapefruit citricity are underlain by notes of cocoa powder. With the viscosity and intensity of TBA, this wine soars in the finish with clear, ringing fruit essences rather than any obvious honey or caramel character.
Try this 2001 Velich Beerenauslese

Velich Beerenauslese 2004 92-95 points
A blend of Chardonnay with Scheurebe, Bouvier, and Welschriesling, the 2004 Beerenauslese smells and tastes of peach preserves and grapefruit marmalade. High-toned in its distilled herb and flower overtones, it displays incredible vigor and brightness for something this viscous, and the finish wonderfully combines fresh, jammy, and zesty citrus and peach fruit essences. The blend may be tweaked, so I am hedging my bets with a rather wide point spread.
Try this 2000 Velich Beerenauslese

Velich Tiglat Chardonnay 2004 89-91 points
The 2004 Chardonnay Tiglat, done largely in barrique, offers richness with spine, creaminess, yet brightness and clarity. Caramelized pear, baked apple, vanilla cream, and subtly integrated oak come together for a ravishingly complete and balanced wine. Even the 2003 Tiglat retained a remarkable amount of freshness.
Try the 2001 Tiglat Chardonnay
Try the 2002 Tiglat Chardonnay

Velich Darscho Chardonnay 2004 88-89 points
The 2004 Chardonnay Darscho, vinified in smaller and larger barrels, offers a waxy, Semillon-like palate impression, herb, pepper, and spice inflections and a long, succulent, refined and nuanced finish. It will be bottled without filtration.
Try the 2001 Darscho Chardonnay
Try the 2002 Darscho Chardonnay