Gruner veltliner loibenberg smaragd 2022 (FJ Gritsch)

Cellar for up to 15 years. Decanting is optional, up to an hour before serving. For the discerning white wine drinker, there are countless wineries to explore along the Austrian Danube. However, relatively few can hold a flame to FJ Gritsch. Named after its owner and operator, the seventh-generation vintner Franz-Josef Gritsch, this Wachau winery offers an incredible range of age-worthy whites, crafted from classic Austrian varietals like Riesling and Gruner Veltliner. This potent brew was sourced from Loibenberg, a terraced vineyard rising up from the banks of the Danube, near the small town of Unterloiben. Like many of the Wachau vineyards farmed aby FJ Gritsch, Loibenberg is steep and can only be tended by hand. This level of care and attention can be seen in the final product: a stunning golden green Gruner Veltliner. The nose is a generous mingling of ripe apple, pear, orange zest and spice. It is fresh and fragrant - reminiscent of mountain air. On the palate, it maintains a linear, crisp character, with notes of clean citrus, white pepper, pine needles and a slight green hint of vegetation. Loibenberg also contains a mineral edge, which becomes more prominent in the finish. This is a potent wine, suitable for pairing with tender game meat, Asian dishes or Austrian cuisine.