2014 Franz Hirtzberger Grüner Veltliner Donaugarten Steinfeder

Franz Hirtzberger

Austria / Wachau / Franz Hirtzberger

Franz Hirtzberger's foremost aim is to produce wine of character and utmost purity. The family has refined its practices over many years, while applying essentially the same tried and tested methods of previous generations. Their utmost goal is to produce wines which are true to their origins; which reflect their unique Wachau "terroir"; the individual characteristics of each vineyard and the particular conditions of each different vintage.

February, 2016

David Schildknecht

Vinous Media

90 points

Scents of clover and pea tendrils lead into a refreshingly juicy, delicate, yet subtly creamy palate. The lingering finish has the crunch and nutty piquancy of a fresh, lime-drenched salad of pea tendrils, lentils, and mixed greens. The Hirtzbergers nearly always bottle at least a tiny amount of Steinfeder, but I don’t always get an opportunity to taste it—nor is there often a vintage so suited to generating a successful entry in this lightest Wachau stylistic category as was 2014. This one was not harvested until the second half of October.

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About Franz Hirtzberger

The Hirtzberger family purchased its first vineyards in the village of Spitz in the late 1800s. The winery is situated at the western end of the Wachau - the part that's coolest and closest to the mountains. The terraced Singerriedel vineyard has brought the family near legendary status for its Riesling, while the Honivogl has done the same with Grüner Veltliner. Such sites, allied to an approach that’s simple in the extreme, lend the wines an often astonishing transparency and complexity.

About

"In every walk of life the best results are obtained as a result of care," says Franz Hirtzberger, adding, "this is especially true when it comes to the vine." He and his son, also Franz, now share responsibilities in the vineyard and the cellar in order to give the vine and its fruit all the time and attention possible in their quest for great wine. Wines are fermented in stainless steel and then aged in old oak barrels and sit stylistically somewhat apart from the rest. Spicy, exotic and perfectly poised, they nevertheless combine the opulence of FX Pichler with Prager’s racy purity.