Wachau Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Achleiten

2017

James Suckling 92: Lots of candied lemon-peel character, plus notes of green pepper and sliced sushi ginger, make this a distinctive Wachau grüner veltliner. For a 2017, the power is rather restrained and you barely feel the high alcohol content. Generous but dry finish. Drink or hold.

Wine Enthusiast 95: Notes of salty miso, celery, lemon and green pear unite into an intriguing nose. On the palate, it is ripe, juicy pear that takes the lead, but savory salt and pepper add freshness and allure to this fluid, slender, concentrated and zesty wine. The finish echoes with citrus and white pepper. It will take some time to come into its powerful own.

2021

Wine Advocate 93+: Clear, fresh and with cool, spicy aromatics on the nose, the 2021 Ried Achleiten Grüner Veltliner Smaragd is juicy and elegant on the palate with hints of iodine. With a compact and persistent structure and fine, crystalline acidity, this is an intensely juicy and aromatic Veltliner with a salty, spicy, extremely stimulating finish.

James Suckling 93: Intense aroma of fresh green beans and garden peas with notes of white and green pepper. Powerful and muscular, with a firm structure and crisp acidity for a gruner veltliner of this level. Stony, quite austere finish. Drink or hold.