Leth
Gruner Veltliner Ried Steinagrund – 2023
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
Single vineyard Steinagrund is a fully terraced hillside in Fels am Wagram, Wagram DAC. “Steinagrund” translates to “stony ground.”
- Altitude: 720-790 feet/220–240 meters
- Exposure: South
- Soil: Stony and gravelly, lightly covered with Loess
- Vine Age: average 30 years
- No herbicides for over 25 years
- No insecticides for over 10 years
- Loess terroir and green cover crops eliminate need for irrigation and fertilizer, following organic standards from 2021
- Certified Sustainable Austria wine
Harvest Notes
- Hand harvested with strict berry selection, no botrysized grapes
- Whole bunch, 3-4 hours skin contact
- Pneumatic press, 12 hour settling
- Fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks
- Aged on lees in tank until February bottling
Winemaker's Notes
Ripe, fresh and full notes of yellow apple, honey melon and notes of ripe quince. A classic Gruner Veltliner: rich fruit with herbal hints and peppery spice. Charming and full of finesse.
Wine Summary
100% Gruner Veltliner; alcohol: 12.5%; single, terraced Steinagrund vineyard in Wagram DAC; vines 30 years old; stony, gravelly, stony soils with loess cover; no herbicides or pesticides; hand harvested; whole cluster, 3-4 hrs skin contact; fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks; aged on lees in tank until February bottling.
Technical Information
- 100% Gruner Veltliner
- Alcohol: 12.5%
- Total Acidity: 5.8 g/l
- Residual Sugar: 1.0 g/l
Reviews
91 Points
This gruner is cool and citrusy, showing notes of orange rind, lemons, nectarines and wet stones. Medium-bodied with lovely transparency. Vegan. Drink now. Screw cap.
jamessuckling.com, October, 2024
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 |