Elena Walch Kristallberg Pinot Bianco - 2023 (750ml)

The 2023 "Kristallberg" is an ambitious and vertical single-vineyard Pinot Bianco, sourced from a high-altitude (600m) porphyry terrace that captures the intense mountain sunlight. Unlike the classic estate bottling, the Kristallberg undergoes a more complex vinification, with the majority fermented in large 25hl oak casks and a small portion in French barriques. The nose is multifaceted and intense, offering a vibrant mix of blood orange, white peach, and fresh pears underpinned by sophisticated notes of green walnut, smoky minerals, and a touch of white flowers. On the palate, it is medium-bodied and surprisingly weighty, balancing a creamy, "melting" fruit texture with a stirring acidity and youthful vitality. The finish is long, savory, and toasted, marked by a distinctive saline tension and a hint of pickled ginger. A sophisticated, "Burgundian-leaning" white that elevates Pinot Bianco to a level of serious depth and aging potential.

An ambitious wine that shines with an intense mix of blood-orange and white-peach aromas with a flowery touch. Medium-bodied. On the palate, it shows vibrancy and weight with a long, savory and toasted finish. Drink or hold. (AF)-94 points James Suckling