PRODUCER

F.X. Pichler is located in Wachau, a region so remarkably beautiful it has earned a spot on Unesco’s World Heritage list. The Pichler family have been farmers in the region for five generations. Franz Xaver (F.X.) built a winery in 1971, and his son Lucas makes the wines today. Lucas’ grandfather began with three hectares of land, which have now grown to 22 hectares because Lucas finds it hard to say no when rare vineyard plots are made available for sale. 70% of their wines are classed as Smaragd, the highest quality level in the standards set by a select group of producers, the Vinea Wachau, while 30% are classed as Federspie, the middle level. The climate in the Wachau is influenced by several sources; the moderating Danube River; cold air from the forests in Waldviertel and Dunkelsteiner; and warm air from the Pannonian basin.

VINEYARDS

Located on the eastern side of the Wachau between Loibenberg and Pfaffenberg, this small cleft in the valley has deep, weathered gneiss soils. The fruit produces rich wines with racy acidity and finesse which age very well.

VINTAGE

The 2016 vintage has been officially described by critics as ‘outstanding quality, characterised by particularly delicate fruitdriven aromatics and fresh acidity.’ A wet summer gave rise to mildew in some areas, although conditions in early autumn were much more favourable and the resultant wines are thought to be of good quality.

VINIFICATION

A low pressure was maintained throughout the pressing process. The wine was fermented in stainless steel tanks and is then stored in large old Austrian oak barrels with capacities of 3,000 - 5,000 litres. This wine did not undergo any malolactic fermentation.

TASTING NOTES