2021 Rudi Pichler Riesling Hochrain Smaragd

An extraordinary single-vineyard Riesling

A tour de force of energy and elegance, showcasing everything great about Wachau Riesling.

98 Points – JamesSuckling.com | 97 Points – Falstaff

Wachau, Austria
RRP $100 | Single-Vineyard Riesling | Profound • Mineral • Sculpted

“An extraordinary single-vineyard Riesling from one of the Wachau’s most revered estates — crystalline, powerful, and utterly captivating.”

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Brilliant pale gold with green reflections — luminous and pure.
Aroma: Expressive and refined — lime zest, apricot, and white peach interwoven with crushed rock, jasmine and subtle honey.
Palate: Intense yet weightless. A stunning interplay of ripe stone fruit, citrus and wet-stone minerality, all carried by precise, laser-cut acidity.
Finish: Long, saline and endlessly layered — a finish that echoes with citrus, spice, and cool mineral energy.

Critical Acclaim

• 98 Points – JamesSuckling.com
  “A breathtaking Riesling — razor-sharp precision with white peach, lime and flint. Silky texture, crystalline purity and a seemingly endless finish. A great Wachau Riesling by any measure.”

• 97 Points – Falstaff
  “An exceptional Smaragd. Citrus, herbs, and wet stone with perfect structure and depth. Tightly focused and immensely age-worthy — a masterpiece from Hochrain.”

Vineyard & Winemaking

The Ried Hochrain Vineyard, located in Wösendorf, is one of the Wachau’s oldest and most prestigious sites.
Terraced slopes of gneiss and loess soils produce Rieslings of remarkable concentration and finesse, combining ripeness with precision.

At Weingut Rudi Pichler, every stage is guided by patience and purity:

• Hand-harvested fruit from mature estate vines

• Gentle whole-bunch pressing to preserve detail

• Spontaneous fermentation with natural yeasts

• Lees aging in stainless steel and large neutral oak casks for complexity and texture

The result is a Riesling that captures the soul of the Wachau — power, precision, and poise in perfect harmony.

Region

Wachau, Austria – Smaragd Classification
“Smaragd” denotes the top classification for Wachau wines — full-bodied, rich and age-worthy.
From the steep terraces of Hochrain, this Riesling showcases the depth and longevity that define the finest expressions of the region.

Food Pairings

• Grilled lobster with lemon butter

• Scallops with garlic and herbs

• Roasted chicken with citrus glaze

• Thai or Vietnamese dishes with lime and chili

• Aged Comté or mountain cheeses

Why We Love It

The 2021 Rudi Pichler ‘Ried Hochrain’ Riesling Smaragd is a tour de force of energy and elegance, showcasing everything great about Wachau Riesling.
With 98 points from James Suckling and 97 from Falstaff, it ranks among the very best dry Rieslings in the world — seamless, balanced, and profoundly mineral.

This is Rudi Pichler at his absolute peak — a wine that defines terroir, craftsmanship, and timeless beauty.

Sublime. Focused. Eternal.
The 2021 Rudi Pichler ‘Ried Hochrain’ Riesling Smaragd is a 98-point masterpiece — a true icon of the Wachau.