Austria 2019

Plenty of lime on the nose, with a hint of spice, and sea spray, too. The palate is so vibrant and focussed. Beautiful tension, with a grippy, mouthwatering finish. Stunningly good value.

A blend of Setzberg, Hochrain and Singerriedel, this is a stunning value white. Picked a few weeks before the Smaragd, it’s incredibly pure and delicate on the nose, while there’s density on the palate, and a long, focussed finish. This is elegant, yet explosive.

A really beautiful nose on the 2019 Gaisberg, that comes from some of the winery’s oldest vineyards. This is sometimes called the baby Heliginstein, due to the similarities in terroir. The palate is so intense and concentrated, but with a lightness of touch about it. Notes of honeysuckle and pure lemon oil last for minutes. Bravo.

From the Gaisberg vineyard, this is from the slope. It is very intense, with plenty of cool acidity: this is so explosive and powerful. There’s a smoky character to the minerality, with a finish that lasts for minutes. Brilliant at this price.

Schreck means fright in German, and takes its name from the watchmen who would scare away potential grape thieves. It’s an incredibly steep site, and in 2019 has crafted a layered, complex, and enduring Riesling. There’s a ripeness to the fruit, with notes of candied pineapple, and exotic spices. Quite a hedonistic wine, glorious in 2019.