Domane Wachau Gruner Veltliner Kellerberg Smaragd

The Kellerberg is Dürnstein’s steep landmark mountain, rising up right behind the Kellerschlössel (Domäne Wachau’s baroque cellar castle). The vines root deep into the light-coloured "Gföhler Gneiss" which consists mainly of feldspar and quartz, covered by sandy loess soil in some parts. The strong Pannonian climate influence on Kellerberg yields full-bodied and complex, yet impressively mineral wines.
Grüner Veltliner from Kellerberg is characterised by low yields (5.8 tonnes per hectare) due to the poor soil on these steep terraces. After multiple, precise selections in the vineyards the grapes were carefully hand-picked at the end of October. The wine was fermented and matured in stainless steel tanks and in big wooden casks. It was bottled late (June 2016) and lengthy contact with the fine lees provides more intricate detail and greater finesse.
2000 was a very hot year but the cool Wachau climate ensured enough acidity, yielding wines with surprising freshness.