Gruner Veltliner Klaus Smaragd 2022 (FJ Gritsch)

Cellar for up to 15 years. Decanting is optional, up to an hour before serving. FJ Gritsch is named for its incumbent wine-maker Franz-Josef, a seventh-generation member of the Gritsch family. They have been crafting gorgeous wines in the Wachau Valley for approximately two centuries. The headquarters is a quaint, 13th-century building in the centre of Spitz, originally used by wine-making monks - though since 2015, the family have also been using their own purpose-built, state-of-the-art Kalmuck cellar. This single-vineyard Gruner Veltliner was sourced from Klaus, one of the most highly-rated plots of land in Wachau. It is terraced and extremely steep, rising almost immediately upwards from the water of the Danube River. FJ Gritsch harvests this plot aby hand. This is a powerful single-vineyard wine, available for the first time in the Smaragd category. The nose exhibits rare white wine aromas of red berries, pungent herbs and tropical fruit, underscored aby spice. The palate expresses the unique terroir of Klaus beautifully, with an intense, rocky minerality, notes of spice, herbs, and zesty blasts of citrus. All of its flavours are nuanced and balanced perfectly with crisp, elegant acidity. This Gruner is a food-friendly choice, suitable for pairing with soft red meats, Asian dishes with subtle spices, or Austrian cuisine. It is also suitable for long-term cellaring.