2013 Franz Hirtzberger Grüner Veltliner Rotes Tor Federspiel

Franz Hirtzberger

Austria / Wachau / Franz Hirtzberger

According to myth the Rote Tor (red gate) is part of the old town wall which was saturated with blood, during the Swedish Wars. We grow GV grapes in the vinyeards below, in both quality levels - Federspiel and Smaragd. The soil-type consists of gneiss, mica and schist and brown soil.

TASTING NOTE
Nice lift – all about citrus (oranges – bitter, and lime juice) and spice (towards, but not quite reaching, the white pepper spectrum). In the mouth there is a nice lees induced creaminess - especially through the mid palate, which provides a savoury juxtaposition to the ‘sweet’ tropical fruit flavours and ferment esters that dominate. A great acid line is present and it helps to really push out the white stone fruit and floral flavours on the finish.

Jancis Robinson

17/20

RS 3 g/l. Quite rich and honeyed. Touch of smoke. Flattering. Explosive. 13.5%. Drink 2014-2021.

Kim Marcus

Wine Spectator

91 points

Offers a powerfully spicy aroma, with concentrated flavors of pineapple, dried mango and tapioca. Very creamy midpalate, with a long, lush finish that shows lemon meringue overtones. Drink now through 2018.

Standard Bottle Out of Stock

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.