2024 Weingut Pfaffl Grüner Veltliner Golden Reserve

In 1978, young Roman and Adelheid Pfaffl became the owners of Weingut Pfaffl in Stetten, a village just north of Vienna in the Weinviertel region of Lower Austria. Before 1978, Pfaffl farm was dedicated to growing grains, potatoes, and raising cows and pigs. Much has changed in a short time. Today, Pfaffl is the international symbol of Grüner Veltliner. They have even been named European Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast.

The Grüner Veltliner grapes come from a south-facing, steep-sided vineyard called 'Goldjoch'. Temperatures can rise considerably. The soil is primarily sandy. The vines are 22 years old. After being harvested by hand, the grapes are destemmed and crushed. They undergo a 10-hour maceration before being pressed. Fermentation takes place in large wooden barrels. After fermentation, the wine is aged for another five months in the same wooden barrels.

In the glass, the Pfaffl Grüner Veltliner Golden is, as the name suggests, a light golden yellow. On the nose, this beautiful Grüner Veltliner offers notes of ripe melon, pineapple, and a touch of spice, including red and black pepper. The wine is full-bodied and powerful, with a good balance of ripe fruit, herbs, and acidity. A fine wine from the Grüner Veltliner Masters. Delicious as a standalone glass and an excellent accompaniment to cod, but also to dim sum with pork and shrimp. 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. Tangy, peppery aftertaste, the pepper effect as much in the texture as in the flavor. Long, slightly sour 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. On the nose, it has the fresh fruitiness that matches Grüner Veltliner, but on the palate, it comes across as exotic. It lacks some spice, but in return, you get hints of oak barrel aging. This wine can handle that perfectly. It's actually still too young; I would put it aside for five years." The wine comes from the Goldjoch vineyard in Weinviertel. There, the Reserve designation means that the use of oak is permitted. This wine was fermented in large oak barrels and then rested for another five months. A powerful glass. Feel free to roast a chicken with it. Winemaker Roman Pfaffl likes to drink it with dim sum. We'll do that 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