Pichler, F.X. - Riesling Ried Steinertal Smaragd 2016

JAMES SUCKLING: "Very cool, racy and delicate with an intense herbal, lemony and mineral freshness. A totally pristine dry riesling with a diamond-like brilliance at the long complex finish. Better from 2018 and for at least a couple of decades."

FALSTAFF: "Helles Gelbgrün, Silberreflexe. Attraktive Steinobstnuancen, feine rauchige Mineralität, ein Hauch von Limettenzesten, verführerisches Bukett. Weiße Tropenfrucht, ungemein rassig, frisch und lebendig, dezente Fruchtsüße im Abgang, feiner zitroniger Touch im Finish, besitzt große Länge, delikater Nachhall."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "A touch of citrus foliage and the merest hint of passion fruit color this wine's lemon aromas before taking over the entire palate. Its svelte, linear and concentrated body fizzes with lemon sherbet-like flavor. Let it calm down and reveal all its lemon verve. Drink 2020–2035."

WINE SPECTATOR: " Very harmonious, with well-expressed flavors of lychee, violet, clementine and cardamom allied to a glossy texture and crunchy acidity. Very pretty and somewhat approachable now, but those who are patient will be rewarded as this comes together in the next several years. Best from 2020 through 2030. 30 cases imported."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2016 Ried Steinertal Riesling Smaragd offers a fresh and concentrated white peach fruit aroma in a coolish and stony milieu with discreet citrus flavors. From weathered gneiss and granite soils, this is a full-bodied and concentrated Riesling with searing acidity but also remarkable concentration that gives this wine a very long and aromatic finish. It is lean, straight and mineral, really piquant, and reveals a salty, well structured finish. Very promising! Tasted as a sample in July 2017."

JEB DUNNUCK: "Coming from a cooler site, the 2016 Gruner Veltliner Ried Steinertal Smaragd also has a terrific sense of minerality as well as notes of tart apples, green citrus, honeycomb, and crushed mint. Medium-bodied, flawlessly balanced, and with both elegance and richness, it too should keep for at least 7-8 years, although there’s no need to delay gratification."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Lemon juice, green apple, very intense core fruit – really packs a punch. A slight honeyed note on the finish, with lingering citrus fruit. A powerhouse."