Rudi Pichler Grüner Veltliner Terrassen Smaragd

Grüner Veltliner Terrassen 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.

Weingut Rudi Pichler consists of 37 acres spread between Wösendorf, Joching, and Weißenkirchen where south-facing terraces look down at the Danube River. Terrassen indicates it is a cuvée from multiple terraced sites. Smaragd is a term used by Vinea Wachau members indicating a dry wine with a minimum alcohol of 12.5%.

Rudi Pichler Winery
Rudi Pichler Vineyards
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Acclaim
Brimming with aromas of Reine Claude plums and green and white pepper, this is simultaneously a generous and animating medium- to full-bodied gruner veltliner. I love the combination of rich texture and vibrant herbal freshness in the long, precise finish. — James Suckling, Nov 2024
“The 2023 Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Terrassen is a blend of the five to seven top sites. Yeast and white miso comes imbued with citrus and russet pear peel on the nose. The palate brings on the full savoriness of that yeasty core on a surprisingly light-footed body. This is all texture and fluidity, with deep notions of white miso, juicy russet pear flesh and peel and a salty, peppery savor. The finish tapers back to lemon and has a lasting echo of pepper. The 2023 is slender for a smaragd, yet really concentrated. (Bone-dry)” — Vinous, Jul 2024
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Vineyard & Production Info
Soil composition
Gneiss, Rocky, and Slate
Training method
Cane-pruned
Elevation:
726-1,188 feet
Vines/acre:
1,800
Yield/acre:
1.2-2.16 tons
Exposure:
Southern / Southwestern
Year vineyard planted:
1970-1990
Harvest time:
October-November
Bottles produced of this wine:
10,000
Average Vine Age:
22-40 years
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Winemaking & Aging
Prefermentation Technique:
Cold soak
Time on its skins:
6-12 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
Size of aging container:
1000-5000 L
Length of aging before bottling:
5 months
Length of bottle aging:
1 month
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Analytical Data
Acidity:
4.7 g/L
Alcohol:
13.5 %
Residual sugar:
1.3 g/L