2015 Domäne Wachau Grüner Veltliner Achleiten Smaragd

Domäne Wachau

Austria / Wachau / Domäne Wachau

Achleiten is a legendary vineyard in the Wachau village of Weissenkirchen. It’s famous for wines with an inimitable mineral character. Dry stone walls dating back to the 12th century, which mount the steep slopes with their silicate-rich soil, dominate this vineyard’s landscape. In the upper terraces, gneiss is the prevailing subsoil, the lower terraces are dominated by dark, schistous amphibolites.
Grüner Veltliner from Achleiten is characterised by low yields (5.5 tonnes/ha) due to the meagre, primary-rock soils. After multiple, precise selections in the vineyards the grapes for this wine were hand-picked at the end of October. After a few hours' maceration, the grapes were pressed gently. After temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks, the wine was matured in stainless steel followed by some time in big, old oak casks. Late bottled in June 2016, the long contact with fine lees providing greater finesse and nuance.
Bright golden yellow with shimmering reflections; expressive on the nose with intense floral notes, white peach, fresh herbs and spices, white pepper and a dark and smoky minerality; the body is juicy and concentrated; a delicate density of extract and well balanced due to its refreshing acidity; tantalising vibrancy; long mineral and spicy finish.

February, 2017

David Schildknecht

Vinous Media

92-93 points

A gorgeous nose mingles iris, buddleia, struck flint, sea breezes, fresh lime and white peach. You might pause, wondering whether what’s in your glass is Grüner Veltliner or Riesling, but I wouldn’t complain about lack of distinctiveness since the disarmingly lovely contents vividly proclaim “Achleiten!” Nor can one complain about a quality-price rapport such as you won’t encounter anywhere else in the Wachau. The palate here feels silky and is subtly oily as well as lusciously expansive, yet also billowing in its sense of buoyancy and inner-mouth florality. The long finish delivers a memorably transparent, shimmering colloquy of fruits, flowers and myriad mineral notes over a bed of wet stone.

November, 2017

Bruce Sanderson

Wine Spectator

90 points

Tightly wound and precise, with ripe Gala apple and peach flavors at the core, delivered by firm acidity that also provides a serious structure. A little less flamboyant for the vintage, but well made. Drink now through 2022.

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About Domäne Wachau

Sustainable Austria-certified Domäne Wachau draws on some of the very best vineyards in the Wachau, including mythical names like Singerriedel, Achleiten, Kellerberg and Loibenberg. Estate chief Roman Horvath MW and winemaker Heinz Frischengruber have mobilised and energised some 250 small growers into growing balanced crops of ripe, healthy grapes across the valley. These translate to powerfully regional and site-specific wines that these days stand proudly next to the most revered estates of the region. The Domäne Wachau Terrassen and single-vineyard wines are sourced from the best grapes grown on the steep terraces of the Wachau. These are vinified with conscientious focus on terroir and express the mineral character derived from the complex rocky soils of the Wachau. They're also some of the very best-value wines that we import.

About

Before making his home in the Wachau, Roman worked in the wine trade as well as wineries in Chile and France. He was the second Austrian to successfully complete the prestigious MW course at the Institute of Masters of Wine in London. Roman joined the Domäne Wachau as winery director in 2004 where he has been responsible for the successful restructuring and strategic positioning of the winery. He also keeps very busy in his private life as a father who is proud of a daughter and twin boys.