2023 | Weingut Franz Hirtzberger Riesling Hochrain Smaragd | Wachau | Austria

Fifty-year-old vines from a Wachau grand master — profound dry Riesling from the Hochrain terraces.

Weingut Franz Hirtzberger is one of the two pillars of the Wachau, and its Riesling Hochrain Smaragd comes from vines averaging 50 years old, rooted in weathered crystalline rock under a fine layer of sandy loam. "Smaragd" is the Wachau's top dry ripeness category — this is powerful, dry, ageworthy Riesling at the highest level.

Old-vine Wachau Riesling from a legendary estate is a benchmark of the category. Concentrated, dry, mineral and ageworthy → Hirtzberger is worshiped by Riesling lovers → at $108.99 you're buying one of the world's great dry Rieslings.

• 100% Riesling
• Wachau, Austria — Ried Hochrain, Smaragd
• Weingut Franz Hirtzberger — 50-year-old vines
• Weathered crystalline rock with sandy loam

Stone fruit, citrus zest and white flowers over a deep, saline-mineral core with racy acidity and long, dry length. Translation: powerful yet precise dry Riesling — peach and lime wrapped around Wachau stone, built to age a decade or more.

Old-vine Riesling from a Wachau grand master. Exactly the bottle to cellar or pour for a serious white-wine lover.