Rudi Pichler Riesling Terrassen Smaragd

Riesling 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
“The 2022 Riesling Terrassen Smaragd is from 20- to 60-year-old vines planted on higher parcels at 250-350 meters. The nose has something of an eau de Cologne sense, with its conifer and citrus spice. The palate is super slender, very linear and uncompromisingly fresh, without a suspicion of fat or any opulence. This treads a thin line on perfect tiptoe. There is a weightless quality here. This is brimming with lemon and utterly fresh.” — Vinous, Feb 2024
“What stunning purity of peachy fruit, both white and yellow, this medium-bodied dry riesling is concentrated, sleek and very precise. Fantastic pink grapefruit and wet stone freshness makes this leap and bound over your palate. Very long, super-lively finish.”
— James Suckling, Sep 2023
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Vineyard & Production Info
Soil composition
Primary rock, Gneiss, Slate
Training method
Cane-pruned
Elevation:
726-1,188 feet
Vines/acre:
1,800
Exposure:
Southern / Southwestern
Year vineyard planted:
1970-1990
Bottles produced of this wine:
3,000
Average Vine Age:
12-40 years
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Winemaking & Aging
Prefermentation Technique:
Cold soak
Time on its skins:
12 hours
Varietal composition:
100% Riesling
Fermentation container:
Stainless steel tanks
Malolactic fermentation:
no
Type of aging container:
Stainless steel tanks
Size of aging container:
1000-5000L
Length of aging before bottling:
7 months
Length of bottle aging:
1 month
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Analytical Data
pH level:
3.2
Acidity:
7 g/L
Alcohol:
12.5 %
Residual sugar:
1.6 g/L