Franz Hirtzberger Smaragd Hochrain Riesling 2005
Franz Hirtzberger
The character of all fine wine has its origin in the vineyard. We take special care of the vines, with short pruning, intensive canopy management, strict thinning out and rigorous selection before and during harvest. By hand picking and by passing through each vineyard several times during harvest, we can guarantee that only grapes with the highest physiological maturity are selected. Our must is fermented in steel tanks without chaptalisation until the fermentation comes to its natural standstill. Further maturation takes place in traditional large wooden casks.
Wine Advocate
The 2005 Riesling Smaragd Hochrain offers remarkable richness of fruit allied to magnificent, multidimensional expression of minerality as salt, pepper, broth, ore, and wet stone, in a manner that seems to reflect the layered mica schiste, sand, and clay of this site. Grapefruit, lemon, and brown spice notes in the nose usher in a palate with dynamic interplay of citrus, pit fruit, spice, and mineral. This wine is the epitome of “interplay.” I would feel comfortable – not to mention privileged – to follow it for 8-10 years in the cellar.
Score: 96.
—David Schildknecht,
August
2006.
Wine Spectator
Aromas and flavors of apricot, peach, lentil and white pepper are finely knit in this rich and seductive white. Stylish, with French vanilla and mineral on the silky finish. Drink now through 2015.
Score: 93.
—Kim Marcus,
May
31,
2007.
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