Riesling Loibenberg Smaragd
2021
Weingut Alzinger is located on a magnificent stretch of the Danube 65km west of Vienna, on a majestic bend where the great river sweeps past Unterloiben in the region of Wachau. This is surely one of the most spectacular wine regions in the world, so stunningly beautiful that it has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which as the Alzinger website proudly proclaims, makes it “coequal to the pyramids of Giza, the Taj Mahal, and the Great Wall of China “. This is a very special...
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A reflection of its terroir; concentrated and yet elegant at the same time. A complex aroma profile, mostly with tropical nuances. Velvety and juicy on the palate, yet gripping and lively.
White grapefruit aromas greet you first, followed by lemongrass, green papayas, anise and flint stones. Mineral and driven, a little austere for now, with a medium body and tight, linear structure. Very precise. This has a long way to go.
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Wonderfully delicate nose of peach, mango and mangosteen. So ripe and ample on the medium-to full-bodied palate. I love the cool finish, which has as much wild-herb freshness as deep stone-fruit character. Excellent aging potential.
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The 2022 Riesling Loibenberg Smaragd is from one steep, convex parcel at higher elevation, shaded by a higher ridge in the late afternoon. For the warm Loibenberg, this is a rather cool spot. The nose is shy at first, with the merest crackle of reduction still hovering in the background. The palate is a picture of clarity, displaying pure, absolutely translucent citrus that shimmers with tangerine one moment and zestier Meyer lemon next. A slight backdrop of yeast buffers the undeniable stoniness and adds body and gentleness to this essentially taut, bright, smooth but super slender wine. The finish rings with zestiness—gentle and quiet but oh so definite. Purity and elegance characterize this wine absolutely. (Bone-dry)
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A cornucopia of fruit aromas, across the entire range of citrus and stone fruit, with a touch of thyme. Rich and concentrated, but this is married to stunningly fresh acidity that lights it up. Lovely floral notes. Moves inexorably forward like a great ocean liner cutting through the swell.
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Pale greenish yellow, silver glints. Tender yellow tropical fruit, a hint of passion fruit and mango, delicate floral nuances, soft minerality, and a dash of mandarin zest. Juicy, elegant, refined fruit expression, filigree acidic structure, marked by a citrus-saline finish. Exhibits excellent length and definite ageing potential for many years ahead.
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The 2021 Ried Loibenberg Loibner Riesling Smaragd offers a clear, bright and fresh nose of white fruit and notes of flint. The palate is rich and dense yet precise, piquant and spicy, and it finishes spicy and stimulating, despite all the richness.
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