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Kpo says: The Riesling from Hoell!!!!!! |
Grape: Riesling.
Light chartreuse yellow with silver reflections. The nose is inviting and layered, showing subtle tropical notes of passion fruit, white peach, and lime, alongside hints of melon and toasty lees. On the palate, this dry Riesling is rich and polished, with a concentrated core of ripe stone fruit and a juicy, structured mouthfeel. A touch of fine fruit sweetness is balanced by vibrant acidity, making it both fresh and approachable. The finish is long, mineral-salty, and powerful, offering depth and aging potential. A wine that bridges the gap between Riesling precision and Chardonnay-like richness.
Smaragd, the top category of 3 in the ripeness classification of white wines in Austria’s Wachau Valley. Smaragd-designated wines are made from the ripest grapes in the Wachau and have a mandated minimum alcohol level of 12.5 percent.
Ried Höll (Single Vineyard)
South facing, between 300m and 345m altitude, covering nearly the whole part of the south side of Ried Höll, the steep slopes have little topsoil, and the bedrock often breaks through. The south expositions make this a hot site. Very steep terraces, all secured with dry walls. A patchwork of different plots planted with a panoply of grape varieties – Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, Muskateller, Zweigelt and Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc) and the odd vine that remains to be identified. Dotted with 5 different huts, a large walnut tree, a deer stand and a newly built tasting terrace – this vineyard is unlike any other.
Vintage Note 2021
The year started cold and with delayed budding – so there was no risk for any late frost. Flowering was nearly 3 weeks late, but development caught up in July. August gave us some concerns due to the rain, but the cold weather also protected the vines from fungal pressure but delayed again the development. An exceptional September in turn provided for perfect conditions and slowed further the ripening of the grapes. Last but not least, October could not have been better and this laid the backdrop for a perfect late harvest.
Harvest date: 30th October 2021
Winemaking notes
The sun-drenched harvest day on October 30th made picking in Ried Höll a smooth and rewarding experience. Thanks to careful pre-harvest selection, the team was able to bring in a generous quantity of high-quality Riesling, which underwent a 20-hour cold maceration to enhance aroma and texture.
Fermentation proceeded slowly and naturally in stainless steel, leading to a wine with a touch of residual sugar that complements its structure. The wine was aged on fine lees for nine months to build depth and mouthfeel, and was bottled without fining or filtration, preserving its purity and character.
Production: 570 bottles and 50 Magnums
Residual Sugar: 5.3 g/l
Acidity: 8.4 g/l
Awards: James Suckling 94pts, IWSC Silver Medal 92pts, Falstaff 94pts
