Wine Time: East End Wines

It's time I raved about my favorite new wine store in Austin, East End Wines. Recently opened on East 11th st, this place is stocked full of killer juice at a really reasonable price point.

I've been three times, and have been completely satisfied with everything I bought there. In the words of Matt and Sam, "Everything here rocks."

I gotta agree. Not only do they carry a TON of wines that I've encountered in the past that I loved, with very little emphasis on well-known labels, but almost everything in the store is between $12 and $50, with very very little super-high end. The labels I do recognize from my own dalliances in the wine industry strike me as having been wines that always over-deliver, a sentiment that the proprietors both echoed when discussing their wine buying philosophies.

So here's a few of the wines I picked up while I was in today.

2007 Laurenz and Sophia "Singing" Grüner Veltliner, Austria - $16

I wanted to get something with a little character, and something different, so I grabbed a varietal I rarely drink. This is a still white wine from Austria, and is native to this country. I was impressed by the intense aromatics, with focused tropical fruit (pineapple in particular) and hints of warm baking spices and steely minerals rounding it out. This wine has layers, for sure. On the palate, I get a lot of mild fruit, with soft acids. This is a decidedly dry wine, but there is a lot of fruit here as well. More of a peachy, stonefruit character, though. This really does last, and finishes quite mineralic and stony. I'd give this wine a solid 88-90 points, and definitely recommend for someone who likes Califronia Sauv Blancs or Viogniers as a nice stepping off point into the obscure European varieties.

2007 Edge Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, California - $22


This just screams Napa when you put your nose in the glass. It's got a little heat to it, but not too terribly bad (14.5% alcohol). Deep blueberries and raspberries on the nose, a little spice and a nice, mild oak element. There's concentration, but restraint as well. This cab is surprisingly well balanced, with great structure and just enough tannic grip to keep the flavors on your tongue after the sip is gone. Kinda finishes a little spicy too. Great juice, 91 points.