Leth
Gruner Veltliner Ried Brunnthal Erste Lagen – 2022
Region: Austria - Wagram
Leth
Established in the early 1960s, three generations of the Leth family have worked tirelessly to establish Weingut Leth as a renowned Fels am Wagram winery. The Leth family are members of the Traditionsweinguter Osterreich (the association of traditional wineries in Austria). They strive to convey the highest and best characteristics of their region, their soils, their climate and their grape varieties through the wines they produce. Franz Leth, Franz Jr. and the entire Leth family are committed to the deepest expression of place.
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 65 feet/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.
Throughout the winery’s history continuing to the present, the family Leth farms and produces wines with passion, idealism and innovation.
The Wine
Vineyard Profile
Ried Brunnthal vineyard is at the top of the hillside of Fels au Wagram.
- Altitude: 985 feet/300 meters
- Exposure: South
- Soils: pure Loess, rich in limestone
- Huge diurnal temperature swings provide intense fruit aromas
- Vine age: 35 – 50+ years
- No herbicides for over 25 years
- No pesticides for over 10 years
- Loess terroir and green cover crops eliminate need for irrigation and fertilizer, following organic standards
Harvest Notes
- Hand harvested with strict berry selection to ensure no botrysized grapes
- Gentle whole cluster pressing by pneumatic press
- 3 hours skin contact
- Settling for 12 hours
- Clear juice fermentation in temperature controlled large Acacia barrels using selected yeasts
- Wine racked in January with fine lees into fresh large Acacia barrels
- Aged on lees about 9 months
- Bottled in August 2024
Winemaker's Notes
Yellow green in the glass. Yellow apple and apricot fruit aromas enhanced with hints of herbs, pepper-spice and tobacco. Complex, full bodied with passionfruit and pepper complementing a firm, mineral structure. Finesse and Gruner Veltliner character on display, highlighting the chalky terroir.
Wine Summary
100% Gruner Veltliner; alcohol: 13%; single Brunnthal “Erste Lagen” vineyard at top of Fels au Wagram hillside; pure Loess soils; vines 35 – 50 years old; no herbicides, pesticides, irrigation or fertilizers; hand harvested; gentle whole cluster pressed; 3 hours skin contact; fermented in temperature controlled Acacia wood barrels; racked in January with fine lees in fresh Acacia barrels; aged 9 months on lees; Certified Sustainable Austria wine.
Technical Information
- 100% Gruner Veltliner
- Alcohol: 13%
- Total Acidity: 5.8 g/l
- Residual Sugar: 1.0 g/l
Reviews
94+ Points
The golden-yellow 2022 Ried Brunnthal 1ÖTW Grüner Veltliner shows opulence in the dense, finely spicy and oaky nose. It is a full-bodied, juicy and chalky-salty Veltliner with subtle smoky aromas and spicy, stimulating acidity. This is a great, persistent cru wine from the Wagram. 13% stated alcohol. Screw cap. 2024 – 2040
© Wine Advocate, May, 2024
16.5 Points
Fels am Wagram. South-facing terraced slope on the upper third of a hillside in Fels am Wagram at 256–302 m. Highly calcareous and silty soils.
Intense, perfumed spice. Ripe peach. Delightful, juicy apricots on the concentrated palate. Elegant pepper spice. Bright acidity with a mouth-watering freshness and finish. 2023 – 2029
JancisRobinson.com, September, 2023
91 Points
Pretty soft stone fruit to this with notes of peaches, pears and some green herbs. It’s medium-bodied, with phenolic layers and plenty of bite. Touch of green bean at the end. Drink now. Screw cap.
jamessuckling.com, September, 2023
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 |