2021 Rudi Pichler Riesling Achleithen Smaragd

A once-in-a-generation Riesling of staggering purity and precision

This is not just a wine — it’s a legacy in a bottle, destined to evolve for decades.

99 Points – JamesSuckling.com | 99 Points – Falstaff

Wachau, Austria
RRP $150 | Single-Vineyard Riesling | Sublime • Mineral • Immortal

“A once-in-a-generation Riesling of staggering purity and precision — where crystalline fruit, mineral power, and effortless poise reach perfect harmony.”

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Pale gold with green-silver glints — luminous, pristine, and alive.
Aroma: Pure lime, white-peach and apricot blossom weave through crushed rock, jasmine, and smoky flint.
Palate: Electric intensity balanced by textural depth. Citrus and stone-fruit richness glide across a backbone of piercing minerality and seamless acidity.
Finish: Infinite and saline — a shimmering echo of fruit, spice, and stone that defines greatness.

Critical Acclaim

• 99 Points – JamesSuckling.com
  “One of the greatest dry Rieslings on earth. Explosive minerality, endless depth, and laser precision. Lime, crushed stone, and white-peach purity carried by a seemingly eternal finish.”

• 99 Points – Falstaff
  “A masterpiece of elegance and tension. Citrus, herbs, and flint merge into perfect balance. Concentrated yet weightless — a reference point for the Wachau.”

Vineyard & Winemaking

The Ried Achleithen Vineyard, rising steeply above Weissenkirchen, is the crown jewel of the Wachau.
Its 100-million-year-old terraces of gneiss and mica-schist yield Rieslings of extraordinary minerality, intensity, and longevity.

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

• Hand-harvested fruit from biodynamically farmed old vines

• Whole-bunch pressing for delicacy

• Natural fermentation with ambient yeasts

• Extended lees aging in stainless steel and large neutral oak

The result is a Riesling of absolute purity and inner power, where every element — fruit, structure, acidity and texture — is in perfect alignment.

Region

Wachau, Austria – Smaragd Classification
“Smaragd” signifies the pinnacle of Wachau winemaking: rich, powerful, and built to age.
From Achleithen’s legendary terraces, this 2021 vintage captures both the monumentality and finesse that define Austria’s greatest Rieslings.

Food Pairings

• Lobster or king prawns with lemon butter

• Roast duck or quail with orange glaze

• Scallops with herb cream sauce

• Thai or Vietnamese dishes with lime and ginger

• Alpine cheeses like Comté or Gruyère

Why We Love It

The 2021 Rudi Pichler ‘Ried Achleithen’ Riesling Smaragd is a defining wine of modern Austria — a beacon of precision, depth, and longevity.
Dual 99-point acclaim from James Suckling and Falstaff crowns it as a near-perfect expression of Wachau terroir, combining mineral energy with divine balance.

This is not just a wine — it’s a legacy in a bottle, destined to evolve for decades.

Ethereal. Powerful. Unforgettable.
The 2021 Rudi Pichler ‘Ried Achleithen’ Riesling Smaragd is a 99-point Austrian icon — the pinnacle of purity and poise.