Leth
Gruner Veltliner Ried Scheiben Erste Lagen – 2019
Region: Austria - Wagram
Leth
Established in the early 1960s, Weingut Leth has become a renowned winery in Fels am Wagram in just three generations. The Leth family are members of the Traditionsweinguter Osterreich (association of traditional wineries in Austria), and believe it is their obligation to express the characteristics of their region, their soils, their climate, their grape varieties and cellars in their wines. Franz Leth, Franz Jr. and the entire Leth family are committed to these ideals.
The Wagram region of Austria is home to Europe’s most extensive loess soil formations. The region formed when glacial winds blew fine particles of agglomerated clay, sand and lime – loess – onto the prehistoric bedrock of the ancient course of the Danube river. The layers are up to 20 meters deep, and enable vine roots to delve deeply and absorb water and nutrients from the mineral-rich subsoils. Combined with the benevolent climate and wide temperature variation from day to night, perfect conditions combine to create unique terroir wines.
The Wine
Vineyard Profile
Scheiben vineyard is located on the heart of the Wagram slope.
- Soils: Pure Loess, rich in limestone
- Age of vines: over 50 years
- No herbicides for 25 years
- No insecticides for 10 years
- Loess terrior and green cover crops eliminate need for irrigation and fertilizer, following organic standards with full Bio certification from 2021
Harvest Notes
- Hand harvested and berries selected by hand
- Gentle whole cluster pressing by pneumatic press
- Skin contact for 3 hours
- Settling for 12 hours
- Clear juice fermentation in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks using selected yeasts
- After 5 weeks wine racked with full yeast into large Acacia barrels
- Aged on lees approximately 9 months
- Bottled in August
Winemaker's Notes
Medium green-yellow color. Elegant aromas and flavors of Golden Delicious apple and passionfruit are enveloped in delicate orange zest and a dash of peppery spice. Tautly structured with juicy acidity. Tropical fruit notes combine on the dark, mineral finish. Scheiben vineyard is a character on its own, with expressive fruit and majestic length. Excellent aging potential.
Wine Summary
100% Gruner Veltliner; alcohol: 13.5%; single Sheiben “Erste Lagen” vineyard; pure Loess soils; vines over 50 years old; no herbicides, pesticides, irrigation or fertilizers; hand harvested; gentle whole cluster pressed; 3 hours skin contact; fermented in stainless steel tanks for 5 weeks; aged 9 months in large Acacia barrels on full lees; Certified Sustainable Austria wine.
Technical Information
- 100% Gruner Veltliner grapes
- Alcohol: 13.5%
- Total Acidity: 5.7 g/l
- Residual Sugar: 1.4 g/l
- Certified Sustainable Austria wine
Reviews
94 Points
This wine is rather shy nose does and not want to reveal much. It is on the body that the smooth, peppery, citrus freshness begins to unfold. This is unobtrusive, elegant and quietly fizzing away, with so much freshness and peppery verve.
Wine Enthusiast, March, 2021
90 Points
A generous, ripe gruner with just enough acidity to keep it on track. Nice, creamy texture and crowd-pleasing, ripe pear and apple aromas. Drink now.
jamessuckling.com, September, 2020
16 Points
In the centre of Wagram, on gently sloping terraces, south-east facing, loess. Screwcap. Lovely open fruit profile of pear and citrus, even a touch of apricot. On the palate, more tension than I expected after the rich aroma, leaner and stonier yet well balanced and persistent. Stony dry finish. 2021 – 2024
JancisRobinson.com, September, 2020
93 Points
From sandy-loam soils dropping a mighty layer of loess, the 2019 Ried Scheiben 1ÖTW Grüner Veltliner opens with a deep, complex and calcareous-scented nose of ripe white fruits, tobacco and crushed stones. Very elegant and refined on the balanced palate, this is a rich and full-bodied, firmly structured and sustainable Scheiben Veltliner that is more dramatic and grippy than the generous Roter Veltliner from the same site. The finish reveals stimulating and gastronomic grip yet indicates that the wine should be cellared for 2-3 more years. 2024 – 2037
© Wine Advocate, December, 2021
General Info
| Country | Austria |
| Region | Niederösterreich |
| Appellation(s) | Wagram |
| Proprietors | Franz Leth Family |
| Founded | 1960 |
| Winemaker | Franz Leth Jr. |
| Annual Production | 25,000 9L cases |
| Farming (Sustainable, organic, biodynamic) | Sustainable |