2016 Riesling Smaragd Hochrain

Franz Hirtzberger junior opined that the ample acidity in his 2016s is largely a function of the vines having shut down for a spell during the hot, dry mid- to late summer after spring and early summer conditions had caused them to accommodate their metabolism to water without end. But he readily granted that cool temperatures in the vintage’s late innings helped preserve those acids. Despite the hardships of frost and peronospora, “in the end, it was really quite a jolly harvest [eine lustige Lese],” said Hirtzberger. “I like the combination of concentration with relatively low alcohol exhibited by these 2016s,” noted Franz Hirtzberger senior of a collection impressive even by the exalted standards that he is famous for having set over the years. Yields were down due to the April frost – which, however, spared the Singerriedel – as well as to the vintage-typical battle with peronospora.