2014 Franz Hirtzberger Riesling Setzberg Smaragd
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Tasting notes
Picked on October 28, the 2014 Riesling Smaragd Setzberg is clear, intense and concentrated in its peach aromas. Dense, fresh, tight and with a good tension, this is a straight and elegant, medium-bodied Riesling with a good stone fruit concentration and a stimulating grip in the finish. Still very young and lean, this is a stimulating Riesling with good aging potential.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate
David Schildknecht, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Fresh lime and apple are signaled on the nose and on a polished palate. This displays clarity and primary juiciness that the Hirtzbergers’ 2014 Riesling Federspiel lacked, reflecting the stringency with which they selected what would be bottled as Smaragd rather than relegated to Federspiel. There is an earthy undertone of winter squash and musky ripe cantaloupe, but neither leads to diffusion or spoiled fruit character, and a finishing lick of salt serves for welcome saliva inducement.