2021 Domäne Wachau Grüner Veltliner Terrassen Federspiel

Domäne Wachau

Austria / Wachau / Domäne Wachau

In 2021 a notably cold spring and a cool summer pushed back the growing timetable. Then came a picture-perfect autumn: glorious weather, filled with plentiful sunshine, dry days and cool nights — ideal conditions for the optimally ripened fruit that powers a truly grand vintage. This year will be remembered for its wines of good concentration and compelling elegance and finesse, combined with depth, tremendous momentum and tension on the palate and challenging acidity.
Grapes for Grüner Veltliner Federspiel Terrassen were carefully hand-picked from steeply terraced vineyards throughout the Wachau valley. Work in the vineyard takes place based on sustainable and, increasingly, organic principles, without the use of insecticides or herbicides, and grapes are hand-picked. The grapes are carefully selected and then processed in a pneumatic tank press, with the must then fermented under controlled temperature and aged on their fine lees in stainless steel tanks.
Grüner Veltliner Federspiel Terrassen is a real benchmark wine from Wachau, characterised by fresh fruit and pronounced minerality. The wine offers distinctive aromas of green apple, white pepper, hints of mango and delicate herbal notes This Federspiel is a classic example of Grüner Veltliner with its medium-body crisp acidity, juicy fruits and white spice on the finish. The name Federspiel is derived from falconry which was a very popular leisure time activity among the nobility in medieval times. The falcon stands for the remarkable elegance of these dry white wines. – Roman Horvath MW, Domäne Wachau

March, 2022

Stephen Brook

Decanter Magazine

90 points.

The nose is fragrant, with delicate and charming appley aromas. This is fresh and tight, and the fine acidity gives a tangy, almost sherbetty aftertaste. Precise and persistent, with a long, dry finish. It's been bottled recently, but is already approachable.

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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.