2013 Grüner Veltliner, Loibner Steinertal Smaragd, F. X. Pichler
Critics reviews
Stephan Reinhardt - 30/04/2015
About this WINE
Weingut F. X. Pichler
Weingut Franz Xaver Pichler in Dürnstein is a family-run winery based in the Austrian wine region of Wachau. The vineyads consist of 16ha of vines, mainly Grüner Veltliner und Rheinriesling.
Grüne Veltliner M (for Monumental) and the Grüne Veltliner Kellerberg Smaragd are their flagship cuvees, followed by the Rheinrieslinge M, Unendlich and Kellerberg Smaragd. Hugh Johnson described the winery as one of the leading growers in the region of Wachau.
Wachau
The sweeping, steep terraces of the Wachau, in Lower Austria, on the northern banks of the Danube, an hour’s drive west from Vienna, are home to Austria’s greatest dry white wines.
Here Riesling and Grüner Veltliner excel in producing wines of startling purity and pristine intensity. The climate changes slightly to produce the warmer, richer wines around Dürnstein and Loiben, to steely yet opulent wines around Spitz.
Recommended Producers
Toni Bodenstein of Weingut Prager epitomises the former, whilst Franz and Irmgard Hirtzberger’s vineyards are the ultimate expression of the latter. The region uses a unique system of classification to indicate the level of ripeness at harvest. Steinfeder is the lightest, with an alcohol of around 10%, then Federspiel, which must not exceed 12% and finally Smaragd, named after an emerald green lizard found in the vineyards, which are assertive, late-harvested wines, but fermented to dryness.
Grüner Veltliner
Grüner Veltliner is Austria's most famous grape variety. It is indigenous to Austria and is grown extensively in every Austrian wine region with the exception of Steiermark. It constitutes 36% of all vineyard plantings with the best wines coming from the north-east of the country, particularly regions such as the Wachau, Kamptal and Kremstal which border the Danube river.
Grüner Veltliner is a late ripening variety that typically produces wines that are pale green in colour and display fruit notes of grapefruits, limes, pears, and sometimes hints of white pepper. They normally possess a steely backbone of acidity which enables the best bottles to age gracefully. The grape's natural acidity accompanied by its restrained and understated fruit characters makes its wines ideal partners for food. A marvellous alternative to the more mainstream white grape varieties.
Buying options
Add to wishlist
Description
Undisputed Grüner specialists and leading producer in the Wachau, F.X. Pichler dates back to 1898. In the early 1970s Franz Xaver (F.X.) Pichler took over the helm at the estate and his meticulous approach to production earned him cult status in Austria. Today the estate is run by his son, Lucas. The family firmly believes in the potential of Grüner Veltliner which makes up half of their production (the rest being Riesling, with a touch of Sauvignon Blanc).
This cooler site in the Wachau gives the full and rich FX Pichler style a core of chalky minerality. The acidity is fine and layers with white pepper and stone fruit.
wine at a glance
Delivery and quality guarantee