With steep, terraced, hillside vineyards sloping down to the Danube river, the Wachau region of Austria is famed for the production of exceptional dry white wines, in particular the age-worthy Rieslings and Grüner Veltliners from the area's top estates. And of those estates, Weingut Prager is one of the finest, renowned for world-class wines of impeccable elegance and mineral structure, particularly those that are classified as 'Smaragd'. This legally defined term is used only by wineries belonging to the Vinea Wachau, a prestigious local grower's association, with strictly defined standards. All wines labelled Smaragd must have a minimum of 12.5% alcohol and no more than 8 grams per litre of residual sugar. The resulting wines are both aromatic and dry, full-bodied and powerful and yet retain both minerality, brightness and tension, all with considerable ageing potential.
Weingut Prager, was established in 1715 and today is run by Toni Bodenstein along with his wife, llse of the Prager family. Since the early 1990s his terroir-driven approach, passion for biodiversity and brilliant winemaking has elevated Prager to superstardom within the Austrian wine scene. Their 40-plus acres of vines are planted 60% Riesling and 45% Grüner Veltliner across various prime sites in the region.
Today we are delighted to offer both Riesling and Grüner Veltliner from two of Prager's top vineyards, Achleiten and Wachstum Bodenstein. In addition, we have a bottling from the tiny one-acre Stockkultur plot at the top of the Achleiten vineyard that the estate purchased in 2005. The vines here, which were planted in 1938, are some of the oldest in the Wachau.
2021 in the Wachau was a year of temperate yet changeable weather in the summer followed by a perfect autumn, allowing Prager to harvest the grapes in ideal conditions and produce wines with perfect ripeness and good acidity. Scoring up to 97 points (JS), there's a lot of quality on show here for very reasonable money.
These wines are due in AMFW later this year, so order now to add something really special to your cellar.
Today we are delighted to offer both Riesling and Grüner Veltliner from two of Prager's top vineyards, Achleiten and Wachstum Bodenstein. In addition, we have a bottling from the tiny one-acre Stockkultur plot at the top of the Achleiten vineyard that the estate purchased in 2005. The vines here, which were planted in 1938, are some of the oldest in the Wachau.
2021 in the Wachau was a year of temperate yet changeable weather in the summer followed by a perfect autumn, allowing Prager to harvest the grapes in ideal conditions and produce wines with perfect ripeness and good acidity. Scoring up to 97 points (JS), there's a lot of quality on show here for very reasonable money.
These wines are due in AMFW later this year, so order now to add something really special to your cellar.
Prager Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Achleiten 2021 (6x75cl)
£192 per case 6
95 Points, James Suckling
Intense and delicate nose of white peach, Asian pear and spring blossoms, with only a tiny hint of pepper. Ripe and succulent, with more than enough concentration, this is an exceptionally graceful and beautifully balanced gruner veltliner. Drink or hold.
£192 per case 6
95 Points, James Suckling
Intense and delicate nose of white peach, Asian pear and spring blossoms, with only a tiny hint of pepper. Ripe and succulent, with more than enough concentration, this is an exceptionally graceful and beautifully balanced gruner veltliner. Drink or hold.
Prager Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Achleiten Stockkultur 2021 (6x75cl)
£198 per case 6
97 Points, James Suckling
Deep nose of garden peas and lentils, with a slew of herbal complexity and a pronounced green-pepper note. Extremely concentrated and spicy, yet a model of balance and precision, this is a world-class gruner veltliner. Great depth at the herbal and mineral finish. Drink or hold.
Prager Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Wachstum Bodenstein 2021 (6x75cl)
£198 per case 6
95 Points, James Suckling
This super-fresh and expressive gruner veltliner has a pronounced cool climate personality in spite of its stunning concentration. So tightly wound and so precise on the remarkably sleek palate. Riesling-like stony minerality at the long crystalline finish. With aeration it develops a beautiful peachiness. Great aging potential! Drink or hold.
Prager Riesling Smaragd Achleiten 2021 (6x75cl)
£192 per case 6
96 Points, James Suckling
Very enticing nose of white peach and fresh mint with a hint of white flowers. At once succulent and delicate, this is a joyful Wachau riesling that has such wonderful harmony it should appeal to anyone looking for great dry white wine. Super-elegant and very long finish with delicate wet-stone minerality. Drink or hold.
Prager Riesling Smaragd Wachstum Bodenstein 2021 (6x75cl)
£198 per case 6
97 Points, James Suckling
Breathtaking nose of white peaches and apple blossom! However, that’s just the introduction to this very precise, crystalline, dry riesling that’s packed with wet stone minerality, but also has a very charming and juicy side. Super-long finish that inexorably pulls you back for more! Drink or hold.
