2017 Rudi Pichler, Gruner Veltliner, Federspiel, Wachau, Austria.
The 2017 Rudi Pichler is a lovely white wine with a sense of ripe flavor(s) and brisk mineral character with nice fresh acidity lifting everything up and there is a real completeness here, making for a complex and satisfying Gruner. This Grüner Veltliner Federspiel, from Rudi Pichler, comes from vineyards on the valley floor, hillsides, and upper terraces set on the Wachau’s combination of Primary rock, Gneiss, and Loess soils. The term Federspiel is used by members of the Vinea Wachau indicating a dry wine between 11.5 and 12.5% alcohol, making it like a Kabinett Trocken in Germany, and similar to wines like Vinho Verde and Txakolina. This pretty and balanced Gruner from Pichler fills out nicely on the palate, which is light to medium bodied in feel with layers of lemon/lime, white peach, bosc pear and papaya fruits plus a touch of white pepper, almond oil, wet stones and tangy/bitter herb.
The Weingut Rudi Pichler, one of Austria’s most well known and great estates, consists of 37 acres that is spread between Wösendorf, Joching, and Weißenkirchen where south-facing terraces, with picturesque and perfect exposures that look down at the mighty blue Danube River, just west of Vienna. This 100% Gruner Veltliner was cold soaked on the skins for almost 6 hours before fermentation in stainless steel tanks, it comes from vines that range between 12 to 40 years old, and it is certified vegan for those that take note of such things, and it is aged in tank on the light lees for close to 7 months before bottling. This non malo, Gruner is stays bright and zippy in the glass with just a hint pf gold in its clear hue and it goes great with a mix of foods, though best with white fish dishes, soft cheeses and or oysters even. This vintage is perfect for people new to Gruner, its smooth and classic details gives a good insight into this signature varietal of Austria and it is easy to enjoy.
($30 Est.) 90 Points, grapelive