2005 TBA #6 Grande Cuvee Nouvelle Vague

Alois and Gerhard Kracher's 2005 Trockenbeerenauslese No 7 Grande Cuvée Nouvelle Vague is part of the 2025 Library Release and another stellar wine in the history of this domaine in Illmitz. Given the fact that this dark orange-colored noble sweet wine was aged in barriques, it displays a lovely deep yet pure, fresh and aromatic bouquet of stewed stone fruits and citrus fruit intermingled with nuances of nougat, toast, salt and caramel, maybe even flinty nuances. Rich but immaculate and highly finessed on the palate, this is a stimulating, even salivating saline and filigree-structured TBA that develops a very long and lively, even energetic finish due to this stunning, even mineral acidity. This is an ageless TBA that still has a long life ahead. 10% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted at the domaine in Illmitz in June 2025.

The bright amber-colored 2005 Trockenbeerenauslese No. 7 Grande Cuvée Nouvelle Vague opens with a pure and clear, fascinating, precise and elegant, slightly balsamic bouquet of stewed apricots, leaves, salt and pepper. On the palate, this is a super clear, refined and elegant TBA with ripe and lush fruit, fine tannins and vivacious, saline acidity. Light caramel notes and dried apricots on the finish along with candied orange zest and tea tones, also mushrooms (porcini). 10% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted at the domaine in July 2022.

Nothing really sticks out in the 2005 #7 Grand Cuvée Trockenbeerenauslese Nouvelle Vague, a wine that is first and foremost about total balance. The style is rich, layered and sumptuous. Apricot jam, cloves and orange peel are supported by lovely beams of acidity. I am not sure the 2005 will improve materially from here, but it might very well keep at this gorgeous plateau for a number of years. Today, it is striking.