2020 Rudi Pichler Riesling Achleithen Smaragd

One of the greatest Rieslings ever crafted in the Wachau

A masterpiece from Austria’s most iconic vineyard

99 Points – JamesSuckling.com | 97 Points – Falstaff

Wachau, Austria
RRP $140 | Single-Vineyard Riesling | Monumental • Mineral • Eternal

“A masterpiece from Austria’s most iconic vineyard — breathtaking precision, mineral energy, and near-perfect balance. One of the greatest Rieslings ever crafted in the Wachau.”

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Brilliant pale gold with silver hues — luminous and pure.
Aroma: Deeply expressive with layers of lime zest, white peach, apricot, and jasmine over flinty minerality and crushed rock.
Palate: A revelation of clarity and power — juicy citrus and stone fruit glide over a taut, crystalline structure. Textural depth and saline energy define its brilliance.
Finish: Endless and ethereal — citrus, spice and mineral purity resonate long after the final sip.

Critical Acclaim

• 99 Points – JamesSuckling.com
  “Breathtakingly pure. A wine of tension, intensity and balance. Lime, white peach and crushed-stone complexity with astonishing length. Virtually perfect.”

• 97 Points – Falstaff
  “A great Riesling with focus and finesse. Citrus, herbs and flinty minerality layered over impeccable structure and harmony. A wine built for decades.”

Vineyard & Winemaking

The Ried Achleithen Vineyard, overlooking Weissenkirchen, is one of the most celebrated crus of the Wachau, famed for its steep, ancient terraces of gneiss and mica-schist.
These rocky soils and dramatic slopes create Rieslings of unmatched intensity, minerality, and longevity.

At Weingut Rudi Pichler, precision and patience are the hallmarks of craft:

• Hand-harvested fruit from old estate vines

• Whole-bunch pressing for purity and elegance

• Spontaneous fermentation using native yeasts

• Extended lees aging in stainless steel and large neutral oak for texture and depth

The result is a Grand Cru-level Riesling, combining crystalline purity with textural depth and breathtaking energy.

Region

Wachau, Austria – Smaragd Classification
“Smaragd” denotes the pinnacle of Wachau wines — powerful, structured and immensely age-worthy.
From the storied Achleithen terraces, this vintage delivers unparalleled intensity and poise, capturing the soul of the site with striking precision.

Food Pairings

• Lobster or prawns with citrus butter

• Duck breast with orange and star anise

• Scallops or kingfish crudo

• Thai or Vietnamese dishes with lemongrass and lime

• Aged Comté, Gruyère or triple-cream brie

Why We Love It

The 2020 Rudi Pichler ‘Ried Achleithen’ Riesling Smaragd is a monumental achievement — a near-perfect wine of purity, power and grace.
With 99 points from James Suckling and 97 from Falstaff, it stands among the greatest Rieslings of modern Austria.

It’s a wine that captures everything the Wachau represents — minerality, precision, and timeless beauty — and will continue to evolve for decades to come.

Monumental. Mineral. Masterful.
The 2020 Rudi Pichler ‘Ried Achleithen’ Riesling Smaragd is a 99-point Austrian icon — pure, profound and unforgettable.