At a glance

Producer

Weingut Franz Hirtzberger

Region

Wachau, Austria

Grape variety

Riesling

Wine type

White

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$110-$160 USD (2024 export pricing typical for Smaragd tier)

Tasting profile

Intense notes of white peach, apricot, citrus zest, crushed slate, floral and herbal nuances; powerful extract and vibrant acidity, mineral-driven finish

Evolution: Will gradually develop nuances of honey, dried apricot, petrol, and wildflowers after 5-8 years; tertiary mineral and beeswax notes with further age

At peak: At peak, extraordinarily complex with seamlessly integrated acidity and fruit, profound minerality, deep textural richness

Structure

Acidity

High, racy and supporting long-term ageability

Tannins

None (white wine, structure from extract and phenolics)

Alcohol

Typically 13.5%–14.5% ABV (Smaragd classification)

Aging potential

Very high; 15–20 years in optimal cellaring, with tertiary complexity expected

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2028 to 2038

Optimal window

2026 to 2043

Current status

Youthful and structured, will improve significantly with age

Current condition

Vibrant, fresh, powerful, with pronounced primary fruit; some austerity

The Smaragd Rieslings from Singerriedel are renowned for longevity, gaining dimension, finesse, and tertiary aromas after 6–10 years but approaching maximum complexity after 12–15. 2023 vintage's structure and balance suggest a particularly long and graceful evolution.

Food pairing

Freshwater fish (trout, char), shellfish, Asian spiced dishes, aged hard cheeses, roasted poultry, white asparagus, and refined vegetarian fare.

Serving

Decant

Not required

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 6/10

Integrated pest management, manual harvest, careful canopy management, gravity-fed cellar work; no herbicides, focus on biodiversity, limited chemical intervention

Franz Hirtzberger is regionally respected for environmentally conscious practices and low-intervention philosophy, though the estate does not hold third-party sustainability or organic certifications. No synthetic herbicides are used, and sustainable viticultural methods are employed, but glass packaging and export logistics result in a moderate carbon footprint. As part of Vinea Wachau, they comply with strict local environmental guidelines. Overall, sustainability is above average for traditional estates, though traceability and certification lag behind cutting-edge organic/biodynamic peers.