1999 Rudi Pichler Weissenkirchner Achleiten Riesling Smaragd, Wachau, alc 14.0%…when pouring it smells like I have just beaten the old chalk board erasers and am enveloped in a fine white dust cloud…the minerality on the palate is equally striking…oyster shells with a hint of lemon and sour lime…all of this is hung upon a steely structure of acidity and texture…the finish just builds in intensity and starts to show some rind and earth notes…really a wonderful wine…many years of potential but really “singing” now…
With a Thai beef and broccoli dish …really quite excellent
It’s not uncommon for Smaragd level Austrian wines to have that much alcohol, and potentially a lot more. Due to the legal ripeness levels, and then fermented dry on top of that, the wines tend to be quite high in alcohol. The wines age exceptionally well b/c of the ripeness and acidity, and the best winemakers find a way to keep the alcohol tame. Rudi Pichler is a very good producer, one who I like b/c of the freshness the wines maintain.