Leth
Gruner Veltliner Ried Scheiben 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
Scheiben vineyard is located on the heart of the Wagram slope.
- Altitude: 780-855 feet/240-260 meters
- Soil: Pure Loess, rich in limestone
- Vine Age: 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 EU organic standards with full EU 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 large Acacia barrels
- After a few weeks wine racked with full yeast into similar large Acacia barrels
- Aged on lees approximately 9 months
- Bottled in August
Winemaker's Notes
Medium yellow-green. Elegant aromas and flavors of passionfruit and Golden Delicious yellow apples, wrapped in delicate orange zest and spice. Juicy acidity, tautly structured. The dark, mineral finish adds notes of tropical notes on the very long, expressive finish.
Wine Summary
100% Gruner Veltliner; alcohol: 13%; 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 temperature controlled large Acacia barrels for a few weeks; racked and aged 9 months in similar large Acacia barrels on full lees; Certified Sustainable Austria wine.
Technical Information
- 100% Gruner Veltliner
- Alcohol: 13%
- Total Acidity: 5.7 g/l
- Residual Sugar: 1.7 g/l
Reviews
93 Points
The 2022 Ried Scheiben 1ÖTW Grüner Veltliner shows a deep golden-yellow color. It is enormously rich and aromatic on the dense nose, characterized by cooked fruit and also reminiscent of chutney. Lush on the palate, it’s baroque and elegant, finely salty, lively and spicy, with good aromatic length and opulence. 13% stated alcohol. Screw-cap closure. 2025 – 2040
© Wine Advocate, May, 2024
90 Points
This is a soft gruner veltliner showing aromas of honeysuckle, peaches and yellow pears, with some green basil notes. It’s soft and medium-bodied, easy and fruity. Drink now. Screw cap.
jamessuckling.com, October, 2023
16 Points
Fels am Wagram. Sloping terraces at 230–285 m, with a south-south-east orientation. Calcareous sandy loam rests on top of metre-deep layers of loess. Beneath the loess is consolidated gravel. Certified sustainable (Nachhaltig Austria) and organic (EU BIO).
Broad and lavish aromas of lemon curd, fresh pear and perfumed spice. Spiced apple. Piercing acidity and a tapering palate that grows more slender the longer it stays in the glass. 2023 – 2028
JancisRobinson.com, September, 2023
91 Points
A concentrated thread of herb oil weaves through a weighty, silky frame, with an intense blast of white pepper, while salty, mineral elements bring savory density. Pink grapefruit acidity keeps tension high through the long, winding finish. Drink now through 2028.
Wine Spectator, June, 2025
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 |