Gruner Veltliner is always close to Malat’s heart, and he bottles three levels and styles, the middle of which is illustrated by his 2004 Gruner Veltliner Dreigarten. A nose of baked apple, vanilla and resinous herbs overlain with a youthful veil of yeast leads to a palate of creamy richness and generosity of fruit that mark it as having undergone malolactic conversion. The finish is also broad and rich, lingering with baked apple, vanilla, herbal essences, and a hint of pepper. Various importers including Morandell Imports, Los Angeles, CA; tel. (310) 328-5010 and Rosalie Sendelbach Imports, New York, NY; tel. (212) 260-1870