2013 Domäne Wachau Riesling Terrassen Federspiel

Domäne Wachau

Austria / Wachau / Domäne Wachau

Origin & Terroir
Grapes from different small terraced vineyard plots were carefully hand-picked for this wine. The majority of the grapes come from the vineyards surrounding Spitz, Dürnstein and Weissenkirchen. This Riesling Federspiel reflects the unique climate and primary rock soils of the Wachau Valley.
Grape Variety
Riesling is a grape variety of excellent international reputation. The share of Riesling on the total production in Austria amounts to just above 3% - at Domäne Wachau, this share is almost 20%. Riesling from Wachau convinces through particular elegance, finesse and structure.
Classification
Federspiel wines have a maximum alcohol content of 12.5%. Chaptalisation is strictly forbidden. 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. Federspiel® is a registered trademark of Vinea Wachau Nobilis Districtus e.V.
Vinification
The grapes are cultivated in the classical Lenz Moser trellis system with an average yield of 7000 kg per hectare. The grapes for this wine were harvested at the end of October. After temperature-controlled fermentation, the wine matured in stainless steel tanks prior to bottling to preserve the freshness and the fine fruit aromas.
Tasting Notes
Fresh, clear straw yellow with green reflections; present and pronounced on the nose, ripe aromas of apricot and delicate citrus fruit, hints of exotic fruit; stone fruit aromas on the palate with an elegant structure; fresh, crisp and balanced by the dense fruit; long finish!
Alcohol: 12.5%
Acidity: 7.6%
Residual Sugar: 4.4g/l

Ralph-Kyte Powell,

The Age

91 points

Well priced Austrian riesling of fragrance and finesse. Aromas of peach, florals and lemon rind are delicate and moreish, and the fresh, silky, elegant palate finishes dry and savoury.

Kim Marcus

Wine Spectator

90 points

An airy style, with green herbal notes to the grapefruit and pippin apple flavours, gaining power midpalate. Sea salt and slate details emerge on the crisp finish. Drink now through 2018.

Jeremy Oliver

Gourmet Traveller WINE

A trim, lean and bony Riesling with complexity, character and a hint of sweetness. Backed by notes of musk, spice and minerals, the wine's bouquet of lime juice, apple skin and pear is lifted by a varietal whiff of white flowers. It's tightly wrapped around a line of taut, racy acidity, delivering a focused, but intense presence of citrus and apple flavour extending towards a refreshing, faintly briny finish. More evidence indeed that the Austrians are not resting on their laurels!

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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.