Hirsch Ried Heiligenstein Rotfels Zöbing Riesling 2021

Weingut Hirsch Riesling Zöbing Ried Heiligenstein 1ÖTW 2020
Kamptal DAC – Austria
Certified Biodynamic (RESPEKT)
Grape: 100% Riesling
Producer: Weingut Hirsch

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Producer
“Possibly the most consistently elite producer in Kamptal — if not in all of Austria,” according to Rajat Parr, one of the world’s most influential sommeliers. The Hirsch estate has stood in Kammern for 500 years, with the family farming the vineyards since 1878, now under the 5th generation. Johannes Hirsch approaches biodynamics with great seriousness, and his wines express an ethereal purity from some of Austria’s finest single vineyards — particularly the legendary Heiligenstein, with its unique primary rock soils of granite and gneiss. How far can Riesling and Grüner Veltliner go in Austria? The answer is Hirsch.

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Description
Certified biodynamic (RESPEKT). The south- and southwest-facing terrace has a unique geological history, exceptionally preserved in this area. The bedrock is a reddish-brown feldspar-rich sandstone, coarse conglomerates, and fine sediments. These layers were formed roughly 250–280 million years ago under arid conditions in ancient lakes, lagoons, and ephemeral rivers. Fossilized plants and volcanic rhyolite pebbles can still be found. Loess deposits are preserved only in shallow depressions.

Harvested in October. Whole-cluster pressing, fermentation with only native yeasts. Aged in both stainless steel tanks and large oak casks. The wine remained on lees until mid-May, was bottled in late July, and released in September 2021.

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Scores
96 Points — Robert Parker Wine Advocate
“This is pure, saline and stony, very intense and complex on the nose, and that goes straight to the palate. This is dense, lush and generous but fine and saline, pure and finessed and with so much substance, length and tension on the finish. It is a spectacular new Heiligenstein from a plot that might be promoted to a grand cru (Grosse Lage) one day. Cautious rating.”

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Technical sheet

Region: Kamptal DAC, Austria
Grape: 100% Riesling
Vineyard: Ried Heiligenstein 1ÖTW
Certification: Biodynamic (RESPEKT)
Soils: Primary rock, feldspar-rich sandstone, rhyolite pebbles, ancient conglomerates
Harvest: October
Vinification: Whole-cluster pressing, spontaneous fermentation
Ageing: Stainless steel + large oak barrels
Lees ageing: until mid-May
Bottling: July 2021
Release: September 2021
Alcohol: not specified

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Suggested pairings

Oysters and raw shellfish
Grilled white fish with fennel
Asian-inspired seafood dishes
Poached poultry with tarragon
Soft goat cheese

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