Austria’s Domäne Wachau voted number 1 in global list
Congratulations to our good friends at Domäne Wachau!
This beautiful estate on the banks of the Danube in Austria has been named Europe’s No. 1 in the newly unveiled World’s Best Vineyards 2020 Top 50.
“With its balance of respect for local terroir and tradition, and unrivalled technical know-how, Domäne Wachau offers stunning Riesling and Grüner Veltliner wines at every quality level,” said the competition organisers.
“With its balance of respect for local terroir and tradition, and unrivalled technical know-how, Domäne Wachau offers stunning Riesling and Grüner Veltliner wines at every quality level,” said the competition organisers.
2019 Domäne Wachau Grüner Veltliner Terrassen Federspiel $31
The nose speaks subtly of green pear, lemon zest and peppery green leaves. A slender, crisp palate unites all these notions, with fine freshness and a lovely herbal zing on the dry, appetizing finish. The lemon zestiness rings long.
91 points. Anne Krebiehl MW, Wine Enthusiast
2018 Domäne Wachau Grüner Veltliner Kaiserberg Federspiel $36
“Kaiserberg” (the “emperor’s hill”) was the ancient campground of emperor Charlemange who banished the Avars from the Wachau around 800 AD. The vineyard is situated west of Dürnstein. Wines from Kaiserberg are renowned for their superb overall balance and their classical mineral character.
Along with its lively yellow colour and green glow, there is a succession of intense aromas including Golden Delicious apple, subtle hints of pears and smoky tobacco spices as well as elegant exotic fruits. In the mouth it is a well-balanced, fresh wine with lively acidity, flavourful fruit and well-structured salty character causing it to linger on the palate. – Roman Horvath MW, Domäne Wachau
2018 Domäne Wachau Riesling Bruck Federspiel $36
From a very cool and stony gneiss spot in the Spitzer Graben, the 2018 Ried Bruck Riesling Federspiel shows a beautifully fine and delicately aromatic and spicy bouquet of apricots and white blossoms. Lean and strong on the palate, with intense and spicy fruit intermixed with crystalline flinty notes, this is a fascinatingly coolish, clear and spicy Riesling of great finesse and elegance. It’s lithe but intense and concentrated and delivers the typical Wachau apricot in perfect shape.
92 points. Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate May 2020
2019 Domäne Wachau Riesling Singerriedel Smaragd $66
Predictably dominated on the nose by fresh ripe apricot and lime, this incorporates delightfully complementary maritime salinity and alkalinity. Firm in feel and uncompromisingly dry as well as piquantly tinged by apricot kernel, it nonetheless escapes any sense of austerity thanks to its generous, bright primary juiciness of lime and lemon. The refreshing, impressively penetrating, energetic finish is transparent to diverse mineral nuances.
91-92 points. David Schildknecht, Vinous Media