Structure

Bodyfull
Tanninlow
Acidityracy
Sweetnessdry
Oaknone or neutral

Drinking window

Best 4 to 15 years from vintage.
vintage4 yrs15 yrs17 yrs

Critic scores

No critic score is published for this bottle that we can cite with a reviewer, a vintage and a review year, so none is shown. The rating in the header is our own.

In the glass

Full-bodiedLow tanninRacy acidityDryLong Granitic Mineral finish

Aroma: lime zest, white peach, granite dust, white flower

Palate: citrus pith, stone mineral, nectarine, herbal spice

Riesling Smaragd from the Spitzer Punkt site on gneiss and granite soils; granitic minerality, racy citrus acidity and stone-fruit depth.

What it pairs with

  • Grilled Danube perch with lemon butter
    The wine's racy acidity and granitic mineral core are a classic complement to freshwater fish.
  • Crab cakes with herb aioli
    Mineral depth and citrus freshness cut through the richness of crab and aioli.
  • Aged Emmental
    The stony mineral character and citrus notes balance the nutty cheese.

How to serve Riesling Smaragd Spitzer Punkt

Allow 35 minutes from open to pour.

  1. Open and decant. Open 30 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
  2. Serve at 10-12°C. Cellar temperature (10-12°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
  3. Glassware. Use a medium-sized white-wine glass; the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
  4. Pair with. Grilled Danube perch with lemon butter, Crab cakes with herb aioli, Aged Emmental. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

The Spitzer Punkt is a prime site at the tip of a Spitz hillside on gneiss-granite bedrock. Johann Donabaum took over the estate from his parents in 1996 and developed the Spitzer Punkt as the estate's flagship Riesling.

  1. 1996: Johann Donabaum junior takes over the estate
  2. 1998: Spitzer Punkt Riesling Smaragd first separately bottled

Facts

Producer
Weingut Johann Donabaum · visiting guide
Grapes
Riesling
Classification
Wachau DAC
Oak
Stainless steel; no oak
ABV
13.5%
Price
EUR 30-48 at retail
Drinking window
4-15 from vintage
First vintage
1998

Frequently asked about Riesling Smaragd Spitzer Punkt

What does Riesling Smaragd Spitzer Punkt taste like?

On the nose, lime zest, white peach, granite dust, white flower. On the palate, citrus pith, stone mineral, nectarine, herbal spice. Structurally full-bodied, low tannins, racy acidity with a long granitic mineral finish. Riesling Smaragd from the Spitzer Punkt site on gneiss and granite soils; granitic minerality, racy citrus acidity and stone-fruit depth.

When should I drink Riesling Smaragd Spitzer Punkt?

Drink 4-15 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.

What food pairs with Riesling Smaragd Spitzer Punkt?

Grilled Danube perch with lemon butter is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Crab cakes with herb aioli and Aged Emmental. The wine's racy acidity and granitic mineral core are a classic complement to freshwater fish.

What grapes are in Riesling Smaragd Spitzer Punkt?

The blend is Riesling. The wine is classified as Wachau DAC.

Tags

dry full body medium term mood contemplative mood elegant occasion cellar occasion special old world pairs with aged cheese pairs with shellfish pairs with white fish price premium racy acid riesling single vineyard still white

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