Prager Klaus Riesling

Riesling Ried Klaus Smaragd bottle image

Wine Description

Franz Prager, co-founder of the Vinea Wachau, had already earned a reputation for his wines when Toni Bodenstein married into the family. Bodenstein’s passion for biodiversity and old terraces, coupled with brilliant winemaking, places Prager in the highest echelon of Austrian producers.

Smaragd is a designation of ripeness for dry wines used exclusively by members of the Vinea Wachau. The wines must have minimum alcohol of 12.5%. The grapes are hand-harvested, typically in October and November, and are sent directly to press where they spontaneously ferment in stainless-steel tanks.

Klaus sits adjacent to Achleiten and is one of the Wachau’s most famous vineyards for Riesling. The vineyard is incredibly steep with a gradient of 77% at its steepest point. The southeast-facing terraced vineyard of dark migmatite-amphibolite and paragneiss produces a tightly wound and powerful wine. The parcel belonging to Toni Bodenstein was planted in 1952. 

Prager Vineyards
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Acclaim
“Highly concentrated and really firm, this unique 2017 Austrian dry riesling has tons of wild-herb, berry and mineral character, running right through the giant finish.”
— James Suckling, Oct 2018
“A complex, beautifully crafted version that combines power and elegance. The palate features flavors of apricot and white chocolate, while elderflower and bergamot details glide along the edges. The finish is well-executed, presenting mouthwatering acidity and mineral notes.”
— Wine Spectator, Nov 2018
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Vineyard & Production Info
Vineyard name
Ried Klaus
Vineyard size
33 acres
Soil composition
Dark migmatite-amphibolite and paragneiss
Elevation:
669-1,072 feet
Exposure:
Southeastern
Year vineyard planted:
1952
Harvest time:
November
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Winemaking & Aging
Varietal composition:
100% Riesling
Fermentation container:
Stainless steel tanks
Type of aging container:
Stainless steel tanks
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Analytical Data
No relevant data were found.