While we do not often offer Alzinger, we always consider the estate among the very best of Austrian wine, standing comfortably alongside the great names of the Wachau like Nikolaihof, Pichler, and Prager. The 2020 vintage is a beautiful year for Alzinger, and this Riesling Smaragd Loibenberg shows exactly why: harmony, depth, mineral precision, clear varietal character, and the kind of soil transparency that makes these wines so compelling. Loibenberg is one of the prized sites of the Wachau and is considered one of the warmest vineyards in the region, with terraces rising nearly 700 feet from the lower rows to the top of the slope. Forest and natural barriers help shade parts of the vineyard during intense heat, while cool night air keeps the grapes balanced and preserves freshness. The site has two main soil types: heavier loess, often better suited to Grüner Veltliner and a creamier texture, and poorer, shallower, stony soils where Riesling excels, producing a tighter, more focused, mineral-driven style. In the glass, this is dry, intense, and beautifully controlled, with lime, white peach, citrus zest, herbs, crushed stone, and a long saline finish. This has excellent aging potential and stands among the top examples from this masterclass estate, combining the warmth and power of Loibenberg with Alzinger’s signature precision.
James Suckling 96 pts! A cornucopia of fruit aromas, across the entire range of citrus and stone fruit, with a touch of thyme. Rich and concentrated, but this is married to stunningly fresh acidity that lights it up. Lovely floral notes. Moves inexorably forward like a great ocean liner cutting through the swell. Drink or hold
2020 Alzinger Riesling Smaragd Loibenberg
2020 Alzinger Riesling Smaragd Loibenberg
While we do not often offer Alzinger, we always consider the estate among the very best of Austrian wine, standing comfortably alongside the great names of the Wachau like Nikolaihof, Pichler, and Prager. The 2020 vintage is a beautiful year for Alzinger, and this Riesling Smaragd Loibenberg shows exactly why: harmony, depth, mineral precision, clear varietal character, and the kind of soil transparency that makes these wines so compelling. Loibenberg is one of the prized sites of the Wachau and is considered one of the warmest vineyards in the region, with terraces rising nearly 700 feet from the lower rows to the top of the slope. Forest and natural barriers help shade parts of the vineyard during intense heat, while cool night air keeps the grapes balanced and preserves freshness. The site has two main soil types: heavier loess, often better suited to Grüner Veltliner and a creamier texture, and poorer, shallower, stony soils where Riesling excels, producing a tighter, more focused, mineral-driven style. In the glass, this is dry, intense, and beautifully controlled, with lime, white peach, citrus zest, herbs, crushed stone, and a long saline finish. This has excellent aging potential and stands among the top examples from this masterclass estate, combining the warmth and power of Loibenberg with Alzinger’s signature precision.
James Suckling 96 pts! A cornucopia of fruit aromas, across the entire range of citrus and stone fruit, with a touch of thyme. Rich and concentrated, but this is married to stunningly fresh acidity that lights it up. Lovely floral notes. Moves inexorably forward like a great ocean liner cutting through the swell. Drink or hold
