B-21 Top Recommendation
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Widely regarded as one of Austria's top estates, the renowned F.X. Pichler produces truly monumental, highly rated dry Riesling and Gruner Veltliner in Wachau, garnering top scores from international critics including several "perfect" 100pt ratings, a rarity in the region. Sourced from one of the top Austrian vintages in a decade, this selection from 2019 F.X. Pichler features an outstanding treasure trove of wines rarely available in a single offering, from the introductory Durnstieners to the single vineyard Kellerberg Rieslings and Grüner Veltliners, presenting a unique opportunity to select from the 90+ point rated wines across this amazing portfolio at value pricing.
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Wachau Cultural Landscape in lower Austria stretches 23 miles along the Danube River, part of a meandering landscape of picturesque small villages interspersed with lush forests and rugged rock formations and home to Wachau's steep, terraced vineyards. Planted almost evenly with Riesling and Gruner in loess (wind-blown silt) and gneiss (granite) soils, F.X. Pichler's 20 hectares include the most prestigious and historic vineyards across the region, some cultivated for over 800 years, with around one third grown on steep, walled bedrock terraces that can only be worked by hand. As one of the founders of the Vinea Wachau, sixth generation Franz Xaiver Pichler or "F.X." was a pioneer in the movement to establish sustainable viticultural guidelines in the region, with the group creating uniform labeling standards according to finished alcohol levels – among them "Federspiel" considered mid-level between 11.5% and 12.5% and "Smaragd," made from the ripest grapes, at least 12.5% and also considered the most ageworthy. Taking over the reins nearly two decades ago, F.X.'s son Lucas has continued his father's meticulous vineyard management while upgrading winemaking techniques to preserve freshness and purity, fermenting the wines in stainless steel in their stunning new modern cellars, then aging in old oak foudres for eight months or so on the lees to build complexity.
Once described by Robert Parker as the "Château Latour, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Zind-Humbrecht, Sandrone and Helen Turley of the Wachau," F.X. Pichler's wines exhibit mouth-filling ripe fruit and mineral-tinged acidity, each with a complex finish that beckons for another sip. From the "crisp and deep" 93pt 2019 Grüner Veltliner Wachau Klostersatz Federspiel to the 98pt Riesling Wachau Steinertal Smaragd that critic James Suckling promises will "prompt you to abandon all, in order to focus on the hint of eternity in this glass" (wow!) to the "Grand Cru Burgundy-like personality" of the 98pt 2019 Grüner Veltliner Wachau M Smaragd (the special winery designation of "M" or "Monumental" signifying a wine of exceptional opulence, complexity and minerality), each of these 2019 F.X. Pichler wines reflect the finest nuances of the vineyard and the vintage, a rare opportunity to enjoy the exceptional range of wines crafted by this epic producer. | 
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