Riesling Smaragd Ried Klaus Wachau DAC 2021- Domäne Roland Chan

Kpo says: Adi Schmid, a renowned Austrian sommelier and wine consultant commented: A very great Riesling. WINNING sends its regards.

Intensity, minerality, bright acidity, and complex aromatics Riseling.

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 Klaus (Single Vineyard)
Famed for being one of the best Riesling slopes in the Wachau. This vineyard is perched on steep, terraced slopes above the Danube River, benefiting from a unique microclimate and diverse geological composition. South-South-East facing, between 290m and 300m altitude, arranged in an amphitheatre around an old hut, on the upper boundary of Klaus. Migmatite- amphibolite is the sub-soil of these upper terraces.

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: 31st October 2021

Winemaking notes:
Cold maceration for 24h was an obvious decision. Slow natural fermentation in stainless steel ended bone dry. Left on the fine lees for 9 months, no fining and filtering. This great terroir made the wine itself without any intervention.

Residual Sugar: 1.0 g/l, Acidity: 9.4 g/l
Production: 450 bottles and 50 Magnums

Awards: James Suckling 96pts, Falstaff 94pts, Vinaria **** TIPP

**Limited bottles available