Some of the greatest white wines in the world... at US Best Prices... we bought everything available for North Carolina. Arrives Wednesday. Reply to order. (If you have already ordered, no need to reply...)

"Franz Hirtzberger and F.X. Pichler (now Lucas Pichler) are the pillars of the Wachau, literally and figuratively. They are the geographic pillars, representing the two ends, Loiben and Spitz. They are the stylistic pillars; the richness of the warmer eastern end, compared to the minerality and purity of the cooler western end of the Wachau. And they are the qualitative pillars; by the consensus of most the two greatest producers of the Wachau, indeed of dry whites in Austria. While there are differences in approach, Hirtzberger and Pichler share the essentials; pursuit of optimum ripeness, meticulous work in the vines, intimate knowledge of each terroir, and unbelievable amounts of work." importer note

Supplies are very limited.

FX Pichler Riesling Ried Kellerberg Smaragd 2018 - $84.99 – 97-99 pts Falstaff / 97 pts James Suckling / 96 pts Wine Enthusiast /  96 pts Decanter – “A striking wine that has such intensity, length and complexity, yet somehow manages to deliver a very elegant, pure and focused style. Aromas of ripe stone fruit, white flowers, spice and freshly picked herbs lead to a palate that has a vivid stream of minerals, swathed in ripe peaches and mangoes and coursing through the finish. Impressive in every respect.” JS

• “A beautifully lifted note of kumquat and Mandarin orange sets an aromatic citrus focus on the nose. This is borne out immediately on the palate that seems to drip with zesty Mandarin orange and edgier tangerine. This tingles like pared citrus peel, emanating freshness and aroma around a central seam of freshness and utter concentration. There is an underlying compactness, something very solid, driven and totally alive at its very core. You have no choice but to submit to this citric drive. Wow. Drink 2025–2045.” WE
• “Fine nuances of blossom honey, yellow tropical fruit, candied mandarin zest, multifaceted and inviting. Complex, fine fruity sweetness, integrated acidity, creamy, juicy and clinging, fine pineapple fruit in the finish, promising potential.” F

FX Pichler Gruner Veltliner Ried Kellerberg Smaragd 2018 - $84.99 – Best US Price - 96 pts Wine Enthusiast / 95-97 pts Falstaff / 95 pts James Suckling /  - “The nose here is awash with beguiling florals, ranging from honeysuckle to dried jasmine. Dried pineapple and dried papaya also take hold, together with hints of horseradish. Full-bodied and very oily with density and structure to the powerful phenolics and apricot character, yet there’s verticality to the steely acidity.” JS

• “A hint of apple freshness and crushed wild thyme savoriness play aromatically on the nose before riper notions of pear and Mirabelle plum hit. On the palate it is saltiness that prevails. A zesty, tingling core of yeasty salt, celery and white pepper sends its wonderfully sharp flavors through the generous fruit on the palate. This is mouthfilling, bold and big but also linear and precise. A picture of bundled, spicy power. Drink 2030–2045.” WE
• “Fine yellow tropical fruit, fresh mango, delicate tobacco nuances, dark minerality. Complex, firm, white apple fruit, fine-grained, precise texture, subtle fruit sweetness in the finish, powerful and clinging, salty aftertaste, great length, sure ripeness potential.”

(Only 2 bottles left) Franz Hirtzberger Riesling Hochrain Smaragd 2018 - $69.99 – Best US Price – 96 pts James Suckling / 94-96 pts Falstaff – “Fine yellow hints of tropical fruit, delicate mandarin zest, floral touch, finely chiselled bouquet. Elegant, juicy, delicate extract sweetness, finesse-rich acid curve, white fruit nuances in the finish, silky and long-lasting, delicate style that is easy to drink.” F

• “Such precise and elegant style here, offering aromas of limes and sliced green apples, as well as a flinty and stony edge. So fresh. The palate delivers precise, intense and focused flavors of citrus and green orchard fruit and a supremely focused palate that carries long and true.” JS

Franz Hirtzberger Riesling Setzberg Smaragd 2018 - $57.99 – Best US Price – 92-94 pts Falstaff  - “Fine white vineyard peach, a hint of blossom honey, delicate floral nuances, a hint of orange zest. Medium complexity, white fruit nuances, fine, fruity acid structure, salty-lemony touch, a delicate accompaniment to dishes.” F

(Only 3 bottles left) Franz Hirtzberger Gruner Veltliner Honivogl Smaragd 2018 - $69.99 – Best US Price – 96 pts James Suckling / 95 pts Wine Enthusiast / 95-97 pts Falstaff – “Fresh orange zest, fine yellow tropical fruit, delicate herbal spice, multi-faceted bouquet. Juicy, velvety-silky, fine fruity sweetness, finesse-rich acid structure, fine spice, yellow apple in the finish, sticks for a long time, great future potential, a great accompaniment to dishes.” F

• “Such striking aromas of dried mangoes, white peaches, white pepper and crushed stones here, as well as wild herbs and a yellow-citrus edge. The palate has an enchantingly smooth and elegant texture with such deep and effortlessly powerful fruit presence and freshness. A special wine.” JS
• “A whiff of dandelion blossom on the nose gives way to notions of ripe russet pear peel, salty yeast and Mirabelle plum compote. The palate then unfolds around a concentrated shaft of yeasty, herbal saltiness. Zesty notions tingle alongside the peppery, salty yeast and pervade the lovely ripe pear notions until the very finish. This is big but streamlined, bold but honed, and holds a whole lot of energy and drive. Do not waken this beast from its slumber. Drink through 2045.” WE

Franz Hirtzberger Gruner Veltliner Axpoint Smaragd 2018 - $54.99 – Best US Price – 94 pts James Suckling / 95 pts Wine Enthusiast / 94-96 pts Falstaff -   “Fine nuances of yellow ringlets, fine pineapple, delicate of mango, inviting bouquet. Silky, fine fruit sweetness, structure rich in finesse, delicate yellow fruit, already very well developed, sticks, mineral aftertaste, very nice to drink.” F

• “ Attractive spiced pear pastry here with wet-chalk, papaya and guava notes, too. The palate has a very composed and integrated feel with a smooth build of ripe fruit that holds long on point.” JS
• “The richness and texture of sun-ripened russet pear peel is prominent on the nose, promising concentration. Hints of grapefruit peel, crushed sage and salty yeast complete the picture. The palate reprises these notions, bathed in more citrus than the nose suggests: Yes, there is bold, ripe fruit, but also concentrated, tingling, vivid freshness. The finish rings long with vivid sprays of white pepper and juicy pear. Drink 2030–2045.” WE

Franz Hirtzberger Gruner Veltliner Rotes Tor Smaragd 2018 - $39.99 – Best US Price – 94 pts James Suckling / 93-95 pts Falstaff -.” Fresh white apple fruit, a hint of pears, a hint of candied orange zest. Juicy, elegant, fine yellow tropical fruit tones, subtle acidity, sticks, already easy to drink, a harmonious accompaniment to dishes with a mineral finish.” F

• “The nose here has a very restrained and rocky feel with such intense aromas of ripe citrus fruit, pepper and pears. The palate is dry, sheer and linear with good, fresh acidity drive and a smoothly rendered finish.” JS

Franz Hirtzberger Gruner Veltliner Kirchweg Smaragd 2018 - $34.99 – Best US Price – 92-94 pts Falstaff  - Fine blossom honey, delicate yellow tropical fruit, inviting bouquet with fine herbal spice. Complex, juicy, subtle nuances of honeydew melon, balanced, dark minerality in the finish, good length, certain aging potential.” F