Urban Stagård

AWARDS

93 Points | Falstaff, 2021

92 Points | James Suckling, 2021

91 Points | Vinous, 2023

89 Points | Robert Parker, 2021

ABOUT

This grüner veltliner is sourced from a selection of south facing, mountain and terrace vineyards all in the Pfaffenberg, but specifically from two lieux-dits called Danzern and Pitschental. The grapes were crushed and macerated for 24hr before spontaneously fermenting in stainless steel, and 10% in neutral oak, where it remains on the lees and 2% whole berries for 8-10 months.

TASTING NOTES

Bright yellow-green, silver reflections. Fine yellow tropical fruit, delicate apricot, some blossom honey, mineral touch. Complex, juicy, elegant texture, a hint of fruity sweetness, some mango, integrated acid structure, silky finish, fine salty nuances, shows length and certain ageing potential.

VARIETAL | Grüner Veltliner

CLASSIFICATION | Kremstal DAC Reserve

COUNTRY | Austria

REGION | Niederösterreich

APPELLATION | Kremstal

VINEYARD | Danzern and Pitschental

ORIENTATION | South

SOIL | Loam, Gravel, Rock

FARMING PRACTICE | Certified Organic by LACON

VINIFICATION | Stainless steel and neutral oak

ELEVAGE | Stainless steel, 10% neutral oak

ALCOHOL | 12.5%

ACIDITY | 4.5 g/L

RESIDUAL SUGAR | 3.3 g/L

SUGAR FREE EXTRACT | 17.3 g/L

MALOLACTIC | Yes

BOTTLE SIZE | 750 ml

AWARDS

95 Points | Falstaff, 2021

95 Points | VinePair, 2020

94 Points | Robert Parker, 2021

93 Points | James Suckling, 2021

93 Points | Falstaff, 2020

ABOUT

Braunsdorfer is comprised of urgestein (schist and gneiss) and is more decomposed. It’s north of the Pfaffenberg and Gaisberg, on the east side of the Reisperbach creek. It’s a cooler site because this creek/river valley is very narrow. Over the same hill, to the east, facing south is the Golberg and the Grilenparz below that.

TASTING NOTES

Elegant and smoky Riesling aromas. Dense and concentrated on the textured palate, this is a vivacious, even thrilling and tensioned dry Riesling in a more German style, with lots of phenolic grip and mineral tension. Very saline and with mouth-tackling grip. 

VINIFICAITON 

Fermented spontaneously, with berries, in stainless steel after 48 hour maceration. Aged 12 months in stainless, 10 months on gross lees and berries.

VARIETAL | Riesling

CLASSIFICATION | Kremstal DAC Reserve

COUNTRY | Austria

REGION | Niederösterreich

APPELLATION | Kremstal

VINEYARD | Steiner Braunsdorfer

ORIENTATION | West

SOIL | Gföhler Gneis, Schist

FARMING PRACTICE | Certified Organic by LACON

VINIFICATION | Stainless steel

ELEVAGE | 12 months stainless

ALCOHOL | 12.2%

ACIDITY | 6.1 g/L

RESIDUAL SUGAR | 3.6 g/L

SUGAR FREE EXTRACT | 18.6 g/L

MALOLACTIC | Yes

BOTTLE SIZE | 750 ml

AWARDS

96 Points | James Suckling, 2021

95 Points | Vinepair, 2021

95 Points | Vinous, 2021

93 Points | Falstaff, 2021, 2020

93 Points | James Suckling, 2020

92 Points | Robert Parker, 2021

ABOUT

This site consists of twelve terraces surrounded by trees and bushes which act like a “clos”—a vineyard within a vineyard. It’s one of the warmest sites in Stein and is situated very close to the Danube, benefiting the full effect of the river’s sun reflection. It is intensely floral with sweet meadow-like herbal aromas. The palate is salty and schmaltzy with cayenne pepper spice and lime citrus zing.

TASTING NOTES

Dense and aromatic white wine with a juicy, round and savory palate and a crystalline, persistently saline finish that also reveals fine phenolic grip, possibly due to the warmer, west-facing terraces of this cru. It's not very sophisticated, but it's an excellent, aromatic and fruity Riesling with a long and sensual finish. 

VINIFICAITON 

Fermented spontaneously, with berries, in stainless steel after 48 hour maceration. Aged 12 months in stainless, 10 months on gross lees and berries.

VARIETAL | Riesling

CLASSIFICATION | Kremstal DAC Reserve

COUNTRY | Austria

REGION | Niederösterreich

APPELLATION | Kremstal

VINEYARD | Steiner Gaisberg

ORIENTATION | Southeast

SOIL | Gföhler Gneis, Micaschist

FARMING PRACTICE | Certified Organic by LACON

VINIFICATION | Stainless steel

ELEVAGE | 12 months stainless

ALCOHOL | 12.7%

ACIDITY | 6.5 g/L

RESIDUAL SUGAR | 7.1 g/L

SUGAR FREE EXTRACT | 19.5 g/L

MALOLACTIC | Yes

BOTTLE SIZE | 750 ml

AWARDS

97 Points | Vinepair, 2021

97 Points | Vinous, 2021

95 Points | James Suckling, 2021

93 Points | Falstaff, 2021

92 Points | Robert Parker, 2021

ABOUT

At 400 meters above sea level Goldberg is the highest site in the Stein area. Pure loess soils a meter deep and direct southern exposure contribute to the signature expression often resembling apple and citrus, herbs and sea salt.

TASTING NOTES

Opens with a fine and elegant, slightly flinty bouquet of fine and well-concentrated fruits that are based on the smallest grapes from 40- to 50-year-old vines, whereas the bigger ones are used for the Handwerk Riesling. Round but refined and elegant on the palate, this is a pure and tensioned Goldberg whose crystalline and saline acidity doesn't give any hints to the loess terroir. This is a remarkably fine and tensioned Goldberg that delivers much more finesse than the name suggests (gold often describes a high-yielding vineyard on richer soils). 

VARIETAL | Riesling

CLASSIFICATION | Kremstal DAC Reserve

COUNTRY | Austria

REGION | Niederösterreich

APPELLATION | Kremstal

VINEYARD | Ried Goldberg

ORIENTATION | South

SOIL | Loess

FARMING PRACTICE | Certified Organic by LACON

VINIFICATION | Stainless steel

ELEVAGE | 12 months stainless

ALCOHOL | 12.8%

ACIDITY | 5.5 g/L

RESIDUAL SUGAR | 4.8 g/L

SUGAR FREE EXTRACT | 17.6 g/L

MALOLACTIC | Yes

BOTTLE SIZE | 750 ml

AWARDS

94 Points | James Suckling, 2021

94 Points | Falstaff, 2020

93 Points | Falstaff, 2021

92 Points | Wine Enthusiast, 2020

91 Points | Robert Parker, 2021

91 Points | James Suckling, 2020

ABOUT

The Grillenparz is a very steep, wildly precipitous terrace with very old walls to give it some hold. The terraces are narrow and extremely difficult to work, being there is very little topsoil and the crystalline rock below can be treacherous. The vines here yield small grapes of high concentration. There’s a hint of marzipan aroma to the wine, but the predominant aromas are savory and of apricots. This is the roundest of the single parcel rieslings.

TASTING NOTES

Aromatic and fruity on the nose that reveals ripe, well concentrated and aromatic Riesling aromas intertwined with flinty, slightly ferrous and saline notes. Cultivated on pure, chalky conglomerate soils and the driest terroir of the domaine, this is a round and fruity, quite lush and soft Riesling with finely grained acidity, a rather creamy, saline texture and a pure and refined finish. It's more open in terms of oxidation than the gneiss Rieslings. The finish is long and intense yet again with creamier and more yeasty features rather than salty and rocky. 

VINIFICATION

Fermented spontaneously, with berries, in stainless steel after 48 hour maceration. Aged 12 months in stainless, 10 months on gross lees and berries.

VARIETAL | Riesling

CLASSIFICATION | Kremstal DAC Reserve

COUNTRY | Austria

REGION | Niederösterreich

APPELLATION | Kremstal

VINEYARD | Grillenparz

ORIENTATION | South

GRADIENT | Steep

SOIL | Conglomerate

FARMING PRACTICE | Certified Organic by LACON

VINIFICATION | Stainless steel

ELEVAGE | 12 months stainless

ALCOHOL | 12.0%

ACIDITY | 6.8 g/L

RESIDUAL SUGAR | 6.8 g/L

SUGAR FREE EXTRACT | 20.6 g/L

MALOLACTIC | Yes

BOTTLE SIZE | 750 ml

AWARDS

95 Points | James Suckling, 2021

95 Points | Wine Enthusiast, 2020

95 Points | Falstaff, 2020

94 Points | Vinepair, 2021

94 Points | Falstaff, 2021

94 Points | Vinous, 2021

93 Points | Robert Parker, 2021

93 Points | VinePair, 2020

Cellar Selection | Wine Enthusiast, 2020

ABOUT

Historically, Pfaffenberg is the most famous site in Stein, part of it is technically in the Wachau. The vineyard is across the river and even further west than Mautern, for example. It’s primary rock (urgestein) with sand and gravel, and it’s the closest to the Danube River and steep, part of it reaching over 300 meters above sea level.

TASTING NOTES

Clear, intense and highly complex wine yet also refined and elegant bouquet of ripe Riesling fruits intermingled with notes of weathered rocks, which add a certain dusty tone to the nose. Full-bodied, rich and round on the palate, this is a generous, lush and possibly not bone-dry Riesling with fine tannins and a long, aromatic finish. This is a crystalline and saline crowd-pleaser on a very high level, and this Pfaffenberg can age for many years, even though it already tastes very attractive.

VINIFICATION

Fermented spontaneously, with berries, in stainless steel after 48 hour maceration. Aged 12 months in stainless, 10 months on gross lees and berries.

VARIETAL | Riesling

CLASSIFICATION | Kremstal DAC Reserve

COUNTRY | Austria

REGION | Niederösterreich

APPELLATION | Kremstal

VINEYARD | Ried Pfaffenberg

ORIENTATION | South

GRADIENT | 400m

SOIL | Gföhler Gneiss & 20-30cm Humus Layer

FARMING PRACTICE | Certified Organic by LACON

VINIFICATION | Stainless steel

ELEVAGE | 12 months stainless

ALCOHOL | 13.5%

ACIDITY | 5.6 g/L

RESIDUAL SUGAR | 5.8 g/L

SUGAR FREE EXTRACT | 22.3 g/L

MALOLACTIC | Yes

BOTTLE SIZE | 750 ml

AWARDS

97 Points | James Suckling, 2021

95 Points | Vinepair, 2021

95 Points | Falstaff, 2021

95 Points | Vinous, 2021

94 Points | James Suckling, 2020

94 Points | Falstaff, 2020

93 Points | Robert Parker, 2021

91 Points | Robert Parker, 2021

91 Points | Wine Enthusiast, 2020

ABOUT

Stagård’s iteration of this site is much less dominant than Nikolaihof’s, but no less complex. Instead of oxidation to balance the intensity of the site, Urban preserves the freshness with spontaneous fermentation in steel. The result is a yin-yang riesling possessing intensity and elegance, depth and lift, concentration and utter drinkability.

TASTING NOTES

Opens with a pure and refined, flinty and stony rather than fruity nose. On the palate, this is a round, rich and crystalline, savory and salty Riesling with ripe, lush and concentrated fruit and the finesse and tension of a rocky terroir. The wine is dense, intense and very long, and it's one of the finest vintages of this domaine and now ranks among the finest in the Kremstal appellation. 

VINIFICATION

Fermented spontaneously, with berries, in stainless steel after 48 hour maceration. Aged 12 months in stainless, 10 months on gross lees and berries.

VARIETAL | Riesling

CLASSIFICATION | Kremstal DAC Reserve

COUNTRY | Austria

REGION | Niederösterreich

APPELLATION | Kremstal

VINEYARD | Steiner Hund

ORIENTATION | South

GRADIENT | 400m

SOIL | Loess, Loam, Conglomerate

FARMING PRACTICE | Certified Organic by LACON

VINIFICATION | Stainless steel

ELEVAGE | 12 months stainless

ALCOHOL | 12.0%

ACIDITY | 5.6 g/L

RESIDUAL SUGAR | 2.9 g/L

SUGAR FREE EXTRACT | 18.7 g/L

MALOLACTIC | Yes

BOTTLE SIZE | 750 ml

AWARDS

96 Points | Vinous, 2021

94 Points | James Suckling, 2020

94 Points | Falstaff, 2020

92 Points | Vinepair, 2020

ABOUT

This site produces some of the most structured wines in the Kremstal. There are five terraces of 60-year old vines here that Urban harvests and macerates for 48 hours before pressing with the stems. He does this in healthy years because ripe stems contain antioxidents and because he likes grip in his riesling. It is wound-up like a spinning top, but it carries the most texture, hold and length. It’s not a riesling for beginners.

TASTING NOTES

Stunning nose of candied lemon, floral honey and just a hint of melted butter. Concentrated, energetic and elegant, this shows what was possible with riesling in the top sites of the Danube in 2020, if you picked late enough. Excellent aging potential. 

VINIFICATION

Fermented spontaneously, with berries, in stainless steel after 48 hour maceration. Aged 12 months in stainless, 10 months on gross lees and berries.

VARIETAL | Riesling

CLASSIFICATION | Kremstal DAC Reserve

COUNTRY | Austria

REGION | Niederösterreich

APPELLATION | Kremstal

VINEYARD | Steiner Kögl

ORIENTATION | South

GRADIENT | 400m

SOIL | Micaschist, Humus

FARMING PRACTICE | Certified Organic by LACON

VINIFICATION | Stainless steel

ELEVAGE | 12 months stainless

ALCOHOL | 12.2%

ACIDITY | 5.9 g/L

RESIDUAL SUGAR | 6.8 g/L

SUGAR FREE EXTRACT | 20.8 g/L

MALOLACTIC | Yes

BOTTLE SIZE | 750 ml

AWARDS

98 Points | James Suckling, 2021

96 Points | Vinepair, 2021

96 Points | Vinous, 2021

94 Points | Robert Parker, 2021

94 Points | Falstaff, 2021

ABOUT

The Schreck is the steepest of all of the Krems Valley sites and sits at approximately 320 meters above sea level. Everything must be done by hand here and the yields are naturally low. The Schreck is the most “German-like” of the range, displaying apples, stone fruit and a hint of apricot with a very taught, linear structure.

TASTING NOTES

On the palate, this is a generous, rich but refined and structured Schreck Riesling with crystalline and saline acidity and serious phenolic grip. The wine has power but also lots of music in terms of tension, drive and complexity. The finish is very long and aromatic and will please those who like fleshier Rieslings, even from rocky soils.

VINIFICATION

Fermented spontaneously, with berries, in stainless steel after 48 hour maceration. Aged 12 months in stainless, 10 months on gross lees and berries.

VARIETAL | Riesling

CLASSIFICATION | Kremstal DAC Reserve

COUNTRY | Austria

REGION | Niederösterreich

APPELLATION | Kremstal

VINEYARD | Steiner Schreck

ORIENTATION | South

SOIL | Slate, Schist

FARMING PRACTICE | Certified Organic by LACON

VINIFICATION | Stainless steel

ELEVAGE | 12 months stainless

ALCOHOL | 13.5%

ACIDITY | 6.0 g/L

RESIDUAL SUGAR | 8.2 g/L

SUGAR FREE EXTRACT | 20.2 g/L

MALOLACTIC | Yes

BOTTLE SIZE | 750 ml