Domane Wachau Riesling Federspiel Bruck 2021
(Wachau, Austria) - [WA 95] [FS 94]

About the Winery:
Domäne Wachau is a “next generation” wine cooperative led by Roman Horvath MW and Heinz Frischengruber, and is Austria's leading estate with organically farmed vineyards. Its vignerons work in small parcels — each cultivating under two hectares on average, mostly by hand — across the Wachau's steep, terraced slopes above the Danube. The estate's grand single-vineyard (Ried) wines, from sites like Achleiten, Brandstatt and Kellerberg, express the sparse gneiss soils and cool, fresh Wachau acidity that define the region.

About This Wine:

The distinctive “Bruck-style” is smoky with a precise structure and complex rich stone fruit aromas and exotic. The palate is balanced and elegant tasting of peach, ripe apricot and delicious apple. The persistent minerality and racy acidity are well balanced by this wine’s full-body and lasting-finish. The name “Federspiel” dates back to medieval times and is derived from falconry. The falcon is symbolic for the elegance and liveliness of the Federspiel wines.

Served chilled, the Riesling is ideal as an aperitif and goes perfectly with Austrian fish cuisine such as Pike dumplings or a char tartare. It can also be more Mediterranean, for example with a Branzino in a salt crust with rosemary potatoes or prosciutto with melon. Ried Bruck is also a great tip for sushi and sashimi and goes well with “spicy prawns”.

95 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"From a steep cru on gneiss and marble in the cooler Spitzer Graben area of the Wachau, the 2021 Ried Bruck Spitz Riesling Federspiel opens with a deep, pure and intense, very elegant and complex nose with ripe Riesling aromas intermingled with enormously stony notes. On the palate, this is a spectacular, complex and refined Riesling with great intensity and terroir expression. The term Federspiel downsizes this Riesling a bit, although it is an elegant, medium to full-bodied wine that has the complexity, finesse and intensity of a grand cru. Definitely a wine to have from this superb vintage. The aftertaste is spectacular in its mineral tension and salinity. That's Riesling at its best! 12.5% stated alcohol. Screw cap closure. Drinking Window: 2022-2050." -Stephan Reinhardt (Jun 2022)

94 Points - Falstaff:
"Pale yellow green, silver reflections. Delicate notes of ripe white tropical fruit, nuances of blossom honey, saffron, some mango, candied orange zest, lemon balm, an attractive bouquet. Taut, white apple fruit, cool, crisp style, racy and well adhering, fine lemon touch, already easy to drink, a wonderful food companion."