Riesling Loibenberg Smaragd
2022
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 peaches, white grapefruit, citrus blossoms and delightful hints of cumin and curry leaves on the nose of this very cool, very elegant white. It’s medium- to full-bodied, dry and precise, with a creamy texture but no fat or heaviness. Long and pristine.
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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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An elegant and cool yet full-bodied riesling, both ripe and fresh, showing notes of lemon, white pear, honey and rosemary, even some persimmon. Crushed-stone minerality coming through. Long and composed. This will open up nicely.
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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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The 2024 Riesling Loibenberg Smaragd comes from a plot surrounded by trees at altitudes reaching up to 350 meters and shaded in the afternoon, all factors that temper the heat of the site. The shy nose offers only slight glimpses of citrus. On the palate, the wine is strait-laced, very much in the Alzinger style, with linearity, poise and precision. Everything is present in a compact, taut package, with superb citrus freshness, all still tightly coiled. This will take time to unfold.
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The 2023 Riesling Loibenberg Smaragd is picked in one parcel of poor soil that is steep and a complete suntrap that becomes shaded in the afternoon, mixing the warm site with a cooler element. Yeast and a touch of passion fruit foliage set the tone on the nose. The palate is a picture of slenderness, tautness, citric tension and freshness. A stony backdrop heightens that sleekness and has the name Alzinger printed all over it. Taut, fresh and zesty. (Bone-dry)
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