Rudi Pichler Grüner Veltliner Ried Achleiten Smaragd

Grüner Veltliner Ried Achleithen Smaragd bottle image

Wine Description

Rudi Pichler is among the elite growers of the Wachau producing wines of precision, power, and longevity. Grüner Veltliner and Riesling make up 95% of the production with the remaining 5% shared between Weißburgunder and Roter Veltliner. Rudi Pichler belongs to the prestigious Vinea Wachau and vinifies under the strict parameters of their codex.

Yields are kept low between 30 and 35 hectoliters per hectare with botrytis carefully removed by hand.  Grapes are crushed by foot and receive between three and 36 hours of maceration on the skins. Vinification is entirely in stainless-steel tanks and malolactic fermentation is avoided.

Achleithen, from “ach” meaning water path and “leiten” referring to the slope, is a terraced vineyard in Weißenkirchen sitting between 200 and 400 meters of elevation. Rudi Pichler’s parcel lies in the small section of Achleithen that faces west where weathered Gföler Gneiss dominates the upper terraces. Achleithen is one of the most famous vineyards in the Wachau and gives wines that are distinctly mineral.

Rudi Pichler Winery
Rudi Pichler Vineyards
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Acclaim
“The 2023 Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Achleiten Smaragd is from over 80-year-old vines, rooting Gföhler gneiss. An initial flicker of citrus sets an immediate tone of freshness. The palate takes this freshness and adds a beautifully green savor of chervil crushed in cream alongside lime zest and white peppercorns. This is a deeply savory, slender, bright wine with drive and so much energy. Wow. (Bone-dry)” — Vinous, Jul 2024
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Vineyard & Production Info
Vineyard name
Ried Achleithen
Vineyard size
55 acres
Soil composition
Gneiss and Rocky
Training method
Cane-pruned
Elevation:
726-1,188 feet
Vines/acre:
1,800
Yield/acre:
1.2-2.16 tons
Exposure:
Southwestern
Year vineyard planted:
1970
Harvest time:
November
Bottles produced of this wine:
3,500
Average Vine Age:
50+ years
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Winemaking & Aging
Prefermentation Technique:
Cold soak
Time on its skins:
18 hours
Varietal composition:
100% Grüner Veltliner
Fermentation container:
Stainless steel tanks
Length of alcoholic fermentation:
14 days
Fermentation temperature:
64-72 °F
Malolactic fermentation:
no
Fining agent:
Vegan
Type of aging container:
Stainless steel tanks
Length of aging before bottling:
7 months
Length of bottle aging:
1 month
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Analytical Data
Acidity:
4.6 g/L
Alcohol:
13.5 %
Residual sugar:
2.5 g/L