Alzinger, Ried Liebenberg Gruner Veltliner Smaragd Wachau 2023, [Pre-Arrival]

93-95 points Falstaff
"Pale yellow-green with a silver sheen. Fresh white apple, subtle orange zest, a refined minerality, a hint of lemon balm. Medium complexity, delicate and light-footed, subtle nuances of white pome fruit, a refined acidity, earthy, elegant and well persistent, a salty finish, strong ageing potential."

Vinous Reverie Notes
Leo Alzinger is located in Unterloiben, just across the street from Knoll. Leo owns parcels in two of the great vineyards in this part of the river valley: Loibenberg and Steinertal. Loibenberg is a towering, terraced hillside, while the diminutive (5.5 hectare) Steinertal is hidden and maintains a cooler micro-climate. On the terraced vineyards of both sites, Gruner Veltliner is cultivated on the lower, silty, loess based parcels. Leo Alzinger Jr. took over the family domaine in 2002 after returning from harvest in New Zealand. Prior to that he traveled to other regions to gain more experience and was fortunate to spend time with legendary winemaker Hans Günter Schwarz just prior to his retirement in 2002. “The most significant experience came with my work in the Pfalz at Müller-Catoir in the vintage 2000. Hans Günter Schwarz revealed things in the cellar, small details that gave stronger impressions of vineyard and place. He taught me not to be afraid of skin contact, that good grapes will give good phenols, for example. How important work with the lees is and many other things.”
Ried Liebenberg is located on the Danube Bend between Durnstein and Weissenkirchen, noticeably air masses come in from the northwest to cool the vineyard. Amphibolites and mica schists replace gneiss as the dominant source rock. In the upper part of the Liebenberg, where these vines are located, the wine presents a tight and compact structures. Classic Gruner Veltliner – lots of excitement and pressure; close-knit profile, in whose corset mostly stone fruit and citrus aromas set the tone; cool, animating and durable.