F.X. Pichler Riesling Smaragd Urgestein Terrassen 2015

The 2015 vintage left no room for a Federspiel here, the heat ruled that out entirely, and this Smaragd carries the weight of the year with surprising freshness. Lime and green apple come through with a pungent, herb-tinged edge, underpinned by a trace of cut grass that keeps things lively despite the wine's fuller frame. Lime peel bitterness and chewy apple skin texture linger on the finish, giving the wine real grip and presence. A warmer expression of Urgestein Terrassen, but the tension holds.