2022 Weingut Pfaffl Grüner Veltliner Golden Reserve

In 1978, at a young age, Roman and Adelheid Pfaffl become the owners of Weingut Pfaffl in Stetten, a village just north of Vienna in the Weinviertel - Niederösterreich region. Before 1978, the Pfaffl farm was devoted to growing grains, potatoes and keeping cows and pigs. A lot has changed in a short time. Today, Pfaffl is an international symbol for Grüner Veltliner. They have even been voted European Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast.

The Grüner Veltliner grapes come from a south facing, steep vineyard 'Goldjoch'. The temperature can rise considerably. The bottom consists mainly of sand. The sticks are 22 years old. After manual picking, the grapes are destemmed and crushed. They undergo a 10-hour peel soak before pressing. Fermentation takes place in large wooden barrels. After fermentation, the wine matures for another five months in the same wooden barrels.

In the glass, the Pfaffl Grüner Veltliner Golden is, as the name implies, light golden yellow. In the nose, this beautiful Grüner Veltliner has notes of ripe melon, pineapple and some spicy notes such as red and black pepper. The wine is full bodied, powerful with a good balance between the ripe fruit, spices and acidity. a handsome wine from the Masters of the Grüner Veltliner. Delicious as a standalone glass and an excellent accompaniment to cod, but also to dim sum with pork and shrimps. Serving temperature 10-12 °C

"An incredibly intense yeastiness rises from the glass, signaling concentration, richness and intensity. The palate indeed follows up, adding really vivid white pepper notions to the mix. The salty, yeasty creaminess is edged with honey, pointing to the ripeness. This is bold, rounded, intense and textured." - 94 points, Wine Enthusiast

92 points - Falstaff

"From the In goldenen Jochen vineyard. A sandy south-facing slope, which is dry and hot. 25-year-old vines. Picked by hand at the end of October. 10 hours on skins. Fermented and aged 5 months in big oak TA 5.5 g/l, RS 3.7 g/l.A much richer aroma than the Hommage, more golden and spiced, more spicy mineral than stony mineral, with aromas of spiced pear and ripe citrus.Full and broad in the mouth, the freshness more sour than citrusy. but fresh finish." - 16.5/20, Jancis Robinson on the 2019 vintage

"Grassy and gently spicy aromas here. The palate has a smooth and juicy feel with fresh and succulent, banana and pear flavors. Drink now." - 91 points, James Suckling on the 2018 vintage

" Cees van Casteren : 'This drinks like a white Burgundy. In the nose it has the fresh fruitiness that suits Grüner Veltliner, but in the mouth it comes across as exotic. It lacks some spiciness, but instead you get hints of maturing in wooden barrels. This wine can handle that very well. It is actually still too young, I would put it away for 5 years." The wine comes from the Goldjoch vineyard in Weinviertel. There, the Reserve designation means that the use of wood is permitted. This wine fermented in large, wooden barrels and then rested for another 5 months. Powerful glass. Feel free to roast a chicken. Winemaker Roman Pfaffl drinks like it yourself with dim sum. Let's do it too!" - *** stars = must-have, WineLIFE on the 2018 vintage

"Rich, apricots, honey, toast. Powerful and full, chic, good acidity." - 16/20 points, Perswijn on the 2017 vintage