2019 Rudi Pichler Riesling Achleithen Smaragd

A world-class Riesling from one of the Wachau’s most legendary vineyards 

Brilliantly intense, endlessly complex, and sculpted with absolute precision

98 Points – JamesSuckling.com | 98 Points – Falstaff

Wachau, Austria
RRP $140 | Single-Vineyard Riesling | Iconic • Mineral • Profound

“A world-class Riesling from one of the Wachau’s most legendary vineyards — brilliantly intense, endlessly complex, and sculpted with absolute precision.”

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Brilliant pale gold with green-silver glints — radiant and crystalline.
Aroma: Pure, expressive notes of lime, white peach, apricot blossom and crushed slate layered with wet stone, herbs and a hint of jasmine.
Palate: Tense and refined — concentrated citrus and stone-fruit flavours glide across a backbone of flinty minerality and electric acidity. Silky, seamless and perfectly proportioned.
Finish: Remarkably long, saline and pure — waves of citrus, spice and minerality linger for minutes.

Critical Acclaim

• 98 Points – JamesSuckling.com
  “A stunning Riesling that captures both power and precision. Lime, peach and crushed-stone aromas with crystalline focus and staggering length. Monumental.”

• 98 Points – Falstaff
  “A masterpiece of purity and balance. Deep fruit, vivid acidity and mineral tension in perfect harmony. Achleithen at its most sublime.”

Vineyard & Winemaking

The Ried Achleithen Vineyard, perched above Weissenkirchen, is one of the Wachau’s oldest and most revered sites.
Terraced slopes of gneiss and mica-schist soils forge Rieslings famed for their precision, density and incredible longevity.

At Weingut Rudi Pichler, precision and patience define the craft:

• Biodynamically farmed, hand-harvested fruit from mature vines

• Whole-bunch pressing for delicacy

• Spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts

• Extended lees aging in stainless steel and large neutral oak casks

The result is a Riesling that reflects the terroir’s soul — structured, mineral and timeless.

Region

Wachau, Austria – Smaragd Classification
“Smaragd” represents the pinnacle of Wachau winemaking — wines of intensity, concentration and age-worthy elegance.
From Achleithen’s steep terraces, this 2019 release shows the power and purity that make the site legendary.

Food Pairings

• Grilled lobster or scallops with citrus butter

• Roast duck with orange and five-spice

• Sushi or sashimi with ponzu

• Thai dishes with lemongrass and chili

• Aged alpine cheeses like Comté or Gruyère

Why We Love It

The 2019 Rudi Pichler ‘Ried Achleithen’ Riesling Smaragd stands among the greatest dry Rieslings ever produced in Austria.
It combines shimmering minerality, flawless balance and effortless power — the very definition of Grand Cru Wachau.

Dual 98-point scores from James Suckling and Falstaff confirm it: this is a collector’s benchmark, built to evolve beautifully over 20 years or more.

Majestic. Mineral. Eternal.
The 2019 Rudi Pichler ‘Ried Achleithen’ Riesling Smaragd is a 98-point Austrian icon — pure perfection in a glass.