2023 Alzinger ‘Ried Steinertal’ Riesling Smaragd

A near-flawless Riesling from one of the Wachau’s most revered vineyards

Brilliant energy, crystalline purity and breathtaking balance from start to finish

98 Points JamesSuckling.com | 98 Points Falstaff

Wachau, Austria
RRP $145 | Single-Vineyard Riesling | Majestic • Mineral • Sublime

“A near-flawless Riesling from one of the Wachau’s most revered vineyards — brilliant energy, crystalline purity and breathtaking balance from start to finish.”

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Pale gold with silver-green hues — luminous and pristine.
Aroma: Explosive aromatics of lime, white peach, apricot blossom and jasmine, underpinned by wet-stone minerality and a whisper of crushed herbs.
Palate: Razor-focused and pure. Layers of citrus, stone fruit and saline minerality glide across a perfectly weighted palate of precision and texture.
Finish: Endless and poised — shimmering with citrus oil, chalk and spice that resonate long after the last sip.

Critical Acclaim

• 98 Points – JamesSuckling.com
  “Utterly pure and seamless. Lime, peach, crushed rock and herbs. Super-fine texture, incredible tension and length. One of the most precise and complete Rieslings of the year.”

• 98 Points – Falstaff
  “A monument of elegance and depth. Crystalline fruit, powerful structure and perfect balance. Minerality of breathtaking clarity — a wine for the ages.”

Vineyard & Winemaking

The Ried Steinertal Vineyard, high above Dürnstein and Loiben, is the coolest and most mineral-driven site in the Wachau.
Its steep terraces of ancient gneiss and mica-schist produce Rieslings famed for energy, precision and remarkable longevity.

At Weingut Alzinger, the focus is purity and patience:

• Hand-harvested fruit from steep estate terraces

• Whole-bunch pressing to preserve delicacy and aroma

• Slow, natural fermentation with indigenous yeasts

• Extended lees aging for texture, harmony and depth

The result is a Riesling of astonishing tension — a perfect fusion of power and finesse.

Region

Wachau, Austria – Smaragd Classification
“Smaragd” signifies the highest echelon of Wachau wines — rich, complex and age-worthy.
From the legendary Steinertal vineyard, the 2023 vintage expresses the site’s cool precision and sculpted mineral beauty with rare perfection.

Food Pairings

• Grilled lobster or scallops with citrus butter

• Roasted duck with orange glaze

• Sushi, sashimi or delicate seafood dishes

• Thai or Vietnamese cuisine with lemongrass

• Mature alpine cheeses like Comté or Gruyère

Why We Love It

The 2023 Alzinger ‘Ried Steinertal’ Riesling Smaragd is an Austrian masterpiece of clarity and craft.
With dual 98-point acclaim from James Suckling and Falstaff, it stands among the greatest white wines ever produced in the Wachau.

Graceful now, monumental in potential — this is the purest expression of Riesling perfection.

Pure. Powerful. Infinite.
The 2023 Alzinger ‘Ried Steinertal’ Riesling Smaragd is a 98-point icon — the pinnacle of precision, minerality and beauty.