2005 Riesling Smaragd Hochrain

As I tasted the superlative assortment of 2005s from Hirtzberger, I found it hard to believe that these wines were born under less-than-ideal weather conditions. All the wines, from the light muskateller to the monumental rieslings, are clear as wind chimes, with finely chiseled acidity and precise expression of terroir "We let Mother Nature do her work," explained Hirtzberger, who is the Chairman of the Vinea Wachau Association. "We simply remained patient and took the time to select the fruit grape by grape at harvest. We had to sacrifice half of our potential volume, but I think that the results speak for themselves." Fans of Hirtzberger's superlative single-vineyard Singerriedel riesling can be assured that there has never been a better vintage of this wine in the past.