2001 F.X. Pichler Grüner Veltliner Durnsteiner Kellerberg Smaragd

Classic, coolish vintage. This wine was sourced from 30- to 60-year-old vines on the steep terraces of the Kellerberg vineyard in Dürnstein where only manual labour is possible. The soils are meagre primary rock covered with a thin layer of sandy granite-gneiss. Grapes were handpicked between mid October and mid November. Lucas Pichler states, ‘2001 was one of our best Grüner Veltliner vintages and will certainly have a long life.’ Acidity 5.5 g/l, RS 3 g/l. A little sweaty on the nose but wonderful tension. Really fine now. Cool and lively. Long and suave. Hints of an earlier era. Quite exciting. (JR)