D* Gruner Veltliner Ried Steinagrund

NOTE: As part of our Explorer Series some labels may be slightly stained/damaged, but most are first quality.

Please note this is 2022 vintage, notes/review is for 2020.

Established in the early 1960s, three generations of the Leth family have worked tirelessly to establish Weingut Leth as a renowned Fels am Wagram winery. The Leth family are members of the Traditionsweinguter Osterreich (the association of traditional wineries in Austria). They strive to convey the highest and best characteristics of their region, their soils, their climate and their grape varieties through the wines they produce. Franz Leth, Franz Jr. and the entire Leth family are committed to the deepest expression of place.

The Wagram region of Austria is home to Europe’s most extensive loess soil formations. The region formed when glacial winds blew fine particles of agglomerated clay, sand and lime – loess – onto the prehistoric bedrock of the ancient course of the Danube river. The layers are up to 65 feet/20 meters deep and enable vine roots to delve deeply and absorb water and nutrients from the mineral-rich subsoils. Combined with the benevolent climate and wide temperature variation from day to night, perfect conditions combine to create unique terroir wines.

Throughout the winery’s history continuing to the present, the family Leth farms and produces wines with passion, idealism and innovation.

The Wine
Vineyard Profile
Single vineyard Steinagrund is a fully terraced hillside in Fels am Wagram. “Steinagrund” translates to “stony ground.”

Vine age: 30 years
Altitude: 721-919 feet/220–280 meters
Aspect: South
Soils: Stony, gravelly soil, slightly to deeply covered with loess
Sustainable agriculture – “Certified Sustainable Austria” certificate
No herbicides for 25 years
No insecticides for 10 years
Plant protection follows organic standards, full bio certification from 2021

Harvest Notes
Hand harvested and berries hand selected to eliminate any Botrytis
Destemmed, skin contact for 12 hours
Gentle pneumatic pressing, then settling for 12 hours
Clear juice fermentation with natural yeast in temperature controlled, stainless steel tanks
Aged 5 weeks, then partly racked into a separate stainless steel tank to preserve primary fruit characteristics
Remaining juice racked into large, neutral Acacia oak barrels with fine lees
Aged until bottling in April

Winemaker’s Notes
The bouquet promises fresh fruits and ripeness as well: yellow apple, honey melon and a hint of quince. Subtle exotic hints enhance the juicy feeling on the palate, while the classic aspects of Grüner Veltliner with pronounced herbal, spicy and peppery fruit are evident more during the long aftertaste. Bone dry with a vivid finish. An excellent drinking pleasure.

Wine Summary
100% Gruner Veltliner; alcohol: 12.5%; single, terraced Steinagrund vineyard; vine age 30 years; stony, gravelly soils with loess cover; no herbicides or pesticides; hand harvested; 12 hours skin contact; only indigenous yeast; aged 5 weeks, then part aged in neutral Acacia barrels on fine lees and part aged in stainless steel tanks; bottled in April.

Technical Information
100% Gruner Veltliner grapes
Alcohol: 12.5%
Total Acidity: 5.8 g/l
Residual Sugar: 1.6 g/l
Certified Sustainable Austria wine
Reviews
91 Points
This dry gruner veltliner combines vibrancy with ripeness and weight, neither too round nor too crisp. Some nice herbal complexity adds interest at the clean finish. Drink now.

jamessuckling.com, May, 2021

General Info
Country Austria
Region Niederösterreich
Appellation(s) Wagram
Proprietors Franz Leth Family
Founded 1960
Winemaker Franz Leth Jr.
Annual Production 25,000 9L cases
Farming (Sustainable, organic, biodynamic) Sustainable