$79.99 on 6+ (code 6saves5)

97 Vinous
The 2023 Grner Veltliner Wachstum Bodenstein Smaragd was planted in 1997 with a varied selection of old genetics collected across Lower Austria on varying rootstocks. Bodenstein calls this wine his scientific experiment. This is planted in the upper part of the Achleiten, on rocks with very thin topsoil where Grner struggles, but this is shaded from mid-afternoon onwards. This takes a while to open up, but there is a faint but very fine scent of citrus, almost with a touch of chervil. Again, the palate is rounder than the nose suggests, super-smooth, but with a lovely edge of zestiness, faint but utterly fresh, elongated, stony and graceful. There’s quite a bit of power on the finish – beautifully long (Dry)– By Anne Krebiehl MW on May 2024

The Vineyard:Wachstum, meaning Growth or Cru, is a nursery for Toni Bodenstein who planted 110 different clones of Grner Veltliner in an abandoned terrace at the top of Achleiten. When initially planted in 1997, the goal of Wachstum Bodenstein was to preserve biodiversity. It is now one of Pragers most sought-after wines.

“The wine year began with cool, humid weather, which delayed the bud break. From mid-may the sun came out continuously and provided a boost of vegetation. Thanks to the rainfall in spring, the vines were optimally supplied with water, only the hot summer months produced very dry conditions. The late flowering indicated a late harvest year. In August, the subsequent summer temperatures accelerated the ripening of the grapes. On August 26, a hailstorm destroyed parts of the grapes in Wsendorf, Joching, Weissenkirchen and partially the Spitzer Graben. Dry and windy weather conditions allowed the injured berries to dry well. These were removed by precise handwork.

In the eastern Wachau, harvest started in the second week of September with dry and warm summer temperatures. Large maturity differences between the individual vineyards were recognizable and strongly influenced by the vineyard management. As the harvest progressed in the eastern part of the Wachau, the ripening phase of the grapes in the west was delayed, so that harvest in Spitz was not completed until the beginning of November.”

~ Vinea Wachau on the 2023 growing season and resulting harvest