91 David Schildknecht - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

"Hirtzberger's 2007 Gruner Veltliner Smaragd Rotes Tor - picked over the first half of November - displays an unusually rich, low-toned impression, featuring beet root, malt, mocha-coffee, and peach preserves. But for all of its rounded richness, gloss, extract sweetness, and sense of stuffing, there is more than enough fresh fruit juiciness and acidity here to keep things succulently satisfying. I suspect this is an instance where the Smaragd will not outlive the corresponding Federspiel, and would be inclined to plan on enjoying this over the next 4-5 years." 91 Points - David Schildknecht - Wine Advocate

"Intense, creamy aromas set the scene for an impressively rich wine that brings out plenty of stops. While the fruit is fresh, it is also dense, concentrated, a welter of white and yellow fruit flavors over acidity. There is a pure sense of terroir wine, the fruit a real expression of the land." 90 Points - Wine Enthusiast

VINEYARD:
"According to myth the Rote Tor (red gate) is part of the old town wall which was saturated with blood, during the Swedish Wars. We grow GV grapes in the vinyards below, in both quality levels - Federspiel and Smaragd. The soil-type consists of gneiss, mica and schist and brown soil."

ESTATE:
"The Wachau valley is one of the most beautiful historic landscapes in the world and has been included, since 2000, as part of the UNESCO World Heritage. Here in between the Danube on the one side and the mountains on the other side is the of the village of Spitz located.

Five generations of Hirtzbergers have lived here, tending the vines which have been planted in the Wachau Valley the 13th Century. Today wine is produced with all the modern know-how at our disposal, but still following the tradition of the Wachau valley and our family."

"The character of all fine wine has its origin in the vineyard. We take special care of the vines, with short pruning, intensive canopy management, strict thinning out and rigorous selection before and during harvest. By hand picking and by passing through each vineyard several times during harvest, we can guarantee that only grapes with the highest physiological maturity are selected. Our must is fermented in steel tanks without chaptalisation until the fermentation comes to its natural standstill. Further maturation takes place in traditional large wooden casks."

"In every walk of life the best results are obtained as a result of care. This is especially true when it comes to the vine. To give the vine the optimum conditions in which to excel, Franz Hirtzberger and his son Franz share responsibilities in the vineyard and the cellar. Irmgard Hirtzberger looks after the commercial side of the business. In addition we have a team of dedicated employees and trainees whose meticulous attention to detail also plays an important part in the success of our business." -Winery

This wine was also scored 88 points by the Wine Spectator