Description

The 2023 Riesling Terrassen Smaragd is a from vines that are around 60 years old, grown on elevated, stony terraces across the estate. There is still a touch of reduction; underneath that is fine citrus. The palate is bone dry, bright, stony and almost breezy, but with wonderful concentration and drive. The finish delves into zest and leaves a long trail of freshness. Lovely.

Smaragd is the highest classification in the Wachau, reserved for Grüner Veltliners of remarkable intensity and depth. These wines are known for their incredible ageing potential, and this example—layered with vibrant citrus and orchard fruit, underpinned by striking minerality and spice—is clearly built to evolve beautifully over time.

Rudi Pichler stands among Austria’s most respected winemakers. He crafts his wines in the Wachau, the country’s most celebrated wine region—an area of breathtaking natural beauty, where steep, terraced vineyards cascade down to the banks of the Danube.

With family roots in the region dating back to 1731, Pichler commands some of the finest vineyard holdings in the Wachau. This particular wine comes from prized plots around Wösendorf and Joching, where diverse soils and sun-drenched slopes give rise to wines of extraordinary character and complexity. The steep terrain not only ensures excellent drainage but also maximises sun exposure, resulting in perfectly ripened fruit and exceptional concentration in the glass.