Vinous 98 – not only their best Pichler Riesling ever, but their best Austrian Riesling ever…and above almost every Le Montrachet from DRC! They say:
The 2023 Riesling Achleiten Smaragd is still reduced on the nose; underneath is a flicker of citrus, perhaps even of conifer. The palate dances in on light feet, leaving its traces on the stone like a figure skater on ice. The palate is full of zest, somehow alive in its incredible youthfulness, energy and stony power. It is a lovely and gracious monument. Wow. (Bone dry)
98 for Stuart Pigott (the world’s foremost Riesling authority), too:
Switch off your phone and don’t look at your watch. When you drink this, time will stand still. The very cool nose with a striking aroma of tarragon, hardly a classic riesling scent, is followed by incredibly concentrated peach and herb flavors on the supersilky, medium-bodied palate. Low acidity for this grape, but that simply means a unique creaminess in the long, elegant finish.
And 98 for the Austrian Falstaff:
Light chartreuse yellow with a silver sheen. Delicate smoky notes, finely spiced, yellow tropical fruit, some stone fruit, mandarin zest, subtle blossom honey, a light touch of mint. Complex, juicy, a full-bodied texture, a fine fruit sweetness at the core, some blood oranges, finely structured, very elegant and long-lasting.
The word “masterpiece” may get tossed around too often. But this wine truly is a masterpiece. Which if you give it ten or fifteen years you will surely see…and then wish you’d bought more!
