Lucas Pichler delivered one of the best collections of the year—extract, tautness, freshness and fill all shine in 2024.
Anne Krebiehl MW, Vinous
Focus continues to be the watchword at F.X. Pichler, whose 2024 vintage is the first to be labelled organic. The health of the vines and the clarity with which they express themselves is everything. The wines underwent something of a transformation about a decade ago, with the distortion cut to zero and the signal—finer, brighter, more precise—beams with a different kind of power.
The Wachau is home to unfeasibly interesting terroir, and it’s a joy to see how these plots express themselves each vintage. The latest season to arrive here in Australia was not without challenges, but it shows Lucas and Johanna in fine form.
“The 2024 vintage is very promising in terms of quality, but the yield is about 20-30% lower than the average of recent years,” Johanna told us. “This is due to particular challenges such as spring frost, hail at the end of flowering, and a few days of rain during the harvest. All of this led to a very selective harvest.”
The vineyards had to be harvested several times and, especially with Riesling, the Pichlers had to meticulously sort out any botrytis and incipient rot. “The result is elegant, harmonious white wines with moderate alcohol content, good elegance and drinkability, and balanced acidity.”
Be it Grüner of Riesling, let Lucas and Johanna Pichler guide you into the brightly lit depths of the Wachau. These 2024s are pure exhilaration.
GRÜNER VELTLINER
2024 F.X. Pichler Loibner Grüner Veltliner RRP $75
The name LOIBEN (for the area of the cadastral communities Oberloiben and Unterloiben) is the designation of origin of this Wachau DAC village wine. The vineyards are situated on the plains of the Loibner basin, with light and warm soils made of alluvial Danube sand and gravel. Delicate Grüner Veltliner with an elegant structure; bright with soft fruit characters. – Lucas & Johanna Pichler
Sliced fennel, fresh herbs, green apples and grapefruit on the nose of this crisp, clean and pure white. It’s medium-bodied, bright and very dry. Drink now. Screw cap. 91 points. Claire Nesbitt, jamessuckling.com Sep 2025
The 2024 Grüner Veltliner Loibner comes from sites close to the Danube, on alluvial sands and gravels. Gentle green pear appears with the slightest creaminess on the nose. The palate brings the customary savour and peppery verve that emanate from the yeast, along with lovely zestiness. 90 points. Anne Krebiehl MW, Vinous May 2025
2024 F.X. Pichler Grüner Veltliner Ried Klostersatz RRP $96
The Ried Klostersatz is, as the name suggests, one of the oldest vineyards in the Wachau to be cultivated by the monks of Bavarian and Salzburg monasteries. It is a vineyard with a remarkably deep soil composition situated in the Loibner basin, within the majestic curve of the Danube River between Dürnstein and Oberloiben.
The topsoil is characterised by fine sand particles, which indicate a slow flow rate during deposition. The underlying gravel, on the other hand, was deposited at a high flow rate. The high degree of rounding of the pebbles is evidence of a long transport route from the Alps. This site provides an ideal terroir for Grüner Veltliner and Riesling. Deep, spicy fruit and gentle mineral notes are typical for wines from this vineyard. – Lucas & Johanna Pichler
Perfumed, showing peach, grapefruit, jasmine and chopped herb aromas with some cardamom. It’s mouthwateringly fresh, with wonderful purity, bright acidity and a refreshingly herbal and vibrant finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink now or hold. Screw cap. 93 points. Claire Nesbitt, jamessuckling.com Sep 2025
The 2024 Grüner Veltliner Klostersatz comes from Danubian gravels close to the winery and is the only single-site wine that Franz Pichler makes from the plain. Gentle creaminess on the nose presents smoothness. The palate brings crushed sage, gentle yeast, lovely concentration but, above all, balance. There is juiciness, gentleness and savour. 91 points. Anne Krebiehl MW, Vinous May 2025
2024 F.X. Pichler Grüner Veltliner Ried Loibenberg RRP $199
Loibenberg is known for its rich, bold and elegant wines. The Grüner Veltliner reveals itself as full-bodied, juicy, and lingering, with mineral-, smoky-, and tobacco-like nuances. The Riesling is dense and full-bodied, with noteworthy mineral and stone-like notes, and a fruity texture of tropical fruits, with peach and apricot flavours.
Wines from the Loibenberg are usually approachable and animated in their youth and continue to evolve exceptionally with cellar aging. The results are rewarding after many years or even decades of bottle ageing. – Lucas & Johanna Pichler
This medium- to full-bodied, structured white has firm layers and almost savoury aromas of ripe stone fruit, pomelo rind, tea leaves, tobacco, red apples and almond skin. Lots of bite and tannic tension that carries through to a long finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold. 97 points. Claire Nesbitt, jamessuckling.com Sep 2025
The 2024 Grüner Veltliner Loibenberg is restrained on the nose, yet reveals crushed sage, crushed pepper and a hint of white stone fruit. Creaminess and a supple texture soothe the yeast and pith on the concentrated palate. Freshness makes this mouth-watering and leaves a gorgeous spice of crushed fern and lemon on the finish. The wine shows the substance of the warm site but dazzles with freshness. 92–94 points. Anne Krebiehl MW, Vinous May 2025
RIESLING
2024 F.X. Pichler Riesling Ried Klostersatz RRP $96
The Ried Klostersatz, renowned for its exceptional Riesling and Grüner Veltliner, is, as the name suggests, one of the oldest vineyards in the Wachau to be cultivated by the monks of Bavarian and Salzburg monasteries. This vineyard, situated in the Loibner basin within the majestic curve of the Danube River between Dürnstein and Oberloiben, boasts a remarkably deep soil composition that defines the character of its wines.
The topsoil is characterised by fine sand particles, indicative of a slow flow rate during deposition, while the underlying gravel was deposited at a higher flow rate. The pebbles’ high degree of rounding reflects their long transport route from the Alps. This site provides an ideal terroir for Riesling and Grüner Veltliner, with wines from this vineyard showcasing deep, spicy fruit and gentle mineral notes. – Lucas & Johanna Pichler
This has aromas of jasmine, wet stone minerality and grapefruit freshness, plus a touch of papaya. It’s medium-bodied, fresh and bright, with a light touch of oranges. Excellent concentration at 11.5% alcohol. From organically grown grapes. Drink now or hold. Screw cap. 93 points. Claire Nesbitt, jamessuckling.com Sep 2025
The 2024 Riesling Klostersatz, grown on Danubian gravels, shimmers with tropical and citrus highlights. Passion fruit and bergamot lend a highly scented, aromatic character. The palate is light, bright and taut, with a svelte body and lovely linearity. 92 points. Anne Krebiehl MW, Vinous May 2025
Taut, long, precise, linear and so aromatic.
96-98 points. Anne Krebiehl MW, Vinous
2024 F.X. Pichler Riesling Ried Steinertal Smaragd RRP $199
These wines display exceptional clarity, minerality and elegance. The Grüner Veltliner is rich and bold, with vibrant acidity and refreshing aromas of white pepper spice and lychee. By comparison, the Rieslings are lean and sappy, with enticing salinity alongside animated lime, pink grapefruit and white peach characters. – Lucas & Johanna Pichler
Supercool with bright white peaches, fresh chamomile and lime peel aromas. So pure and vibrant with incredible zesty energy on the hyperfocused, medium-bodied palate. Really clean and precise on the rapier-pointed finish. From organically grown grapes. Vegan. Drink or hold. 95 points. Claire Nesbitt, jamessuckling.com Sep 2025
The 2024 Riesling Steinertal tantalises with notes of bergamot and tangerine, offering tangy brightness. These scented citrus impressions have staying power on the palate, brightening and tightening everything. Taut, long, precise, linear and so aromatic. A wonderful wine, svelte but energetic. 96–98 points. Anne Krebiehl MW, Vinous May 2025
It’s pristine and mouth-wateringly fresh, walking a tightrope of concentration and lightness.
]98 points. Claire Nesbitt, jamessuckling.com
2024 F.X. Pichler Riesling Ried Kellerberg Smaragd RRP $355
The Grüner Veltliner displays dark, salty mineral notes, profound spiciness, and notes of honeydew melon and tropical fruit. The Riesling by comparison exudes exotic aromas, with mango, passion fruit, pineapple, and ripe yellow peach. The striking mineral characteristics derive from battered, barren, weathered soils. After years of maturation in the bottle, it becomes increasingly difficult to identify the Grüner Veltliner and Riesling grape varieties, as the sensory boundaries merge together as the terroir of this extraordinary vineyard site is at the forefront. – Lucas & Johanna Pichler
So much finesse and freshness to this, showing sliced apples, lemons, white grapefruit, wildflower honey and thyme on the nose, followed by a very stony, minerally, medium-bodied palate. It’s pristine and mouth-wateringly fresh, walking a tightrope of concentration and lightness. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold. 98 points. Claire Nesbitt, jamessuckling.com Sep 2025
The 2024 Riesling Kellerberg remains shy on the nose, holding back and revealing just a touch of citrus. Zesty concentration and more citric verve emerge on the palate, which is energy-laden and direct, driving forward like a dynamo. The finish is all zestiness, all verve, all liveliness. 95–97 points. Anne Krebiehl MW, Vinous May 2025
