Weingut Franz Hirtzberger – 2011 Riesling Smaragd Hochrain

Weingut Franz Hirtzberger – 2011 Riesling Smaragd Hochrain.

The 2011 Riesling Smaragd Hochrain is a compelling demonstration of how refined Wachau Riesling can become with more than a decade of careful cellaring. What began as a ripe and concentrated wine from a warm vintage has matured into an elegant, deeply expressive Smaragd that captures both the pedigree of the Hochrain vineyard and the hallmark precision of the Hirtzberger estate. 

Today, the wine shows a remarkable harmony between evolved complexity and preserved freshness—an interplay that speaks to the craftsmanship and long-standing excellence of one of Austria’s most respected producers.

About the Winery

The Hirtzberger family has been shaping the identity of Wachau wine for generations. The estate, based in the scenic village of Spitz, is one of the region’s most iconic producers, renowned for its terraced vineyards, meticulous farming, and uncompromising pursuit of quality. Under the guidance of Franz Hirtzberger Jr., the domaine continues to refine its stylistic precision, combining tradition with an unwavering respect for terroir.

Hirtzberger’s philosophy centers on clarity and purity. Strict yield control, careful hand selection, and sensitive vinification techniques allow the winery to capture the full aromatic spectrum and natural balance of each vineyard site. Their Smaragd-level Rieslings and Grüner Veltliners, sourced from Spitz’s most celebrated vineyards—including Singerriedel, Axpoint, Pluris, and Hochrain—are consistently counted among Austria’s most age worthy and expressive white wines.

International acclaim has followed naturally: Hirtzberger wines are sought after for their combination of power, detail, and longevity, with many bottles maturing gracefully for decades.

About the Vineyard

Hochrain is a southwest-facing single vineyard defined by deep löss soils layered over rocky subsoils. This composition lends Riesling its characteristic generosity and rounded fruit expression, while the vineyard’s elevation and proximity to the Danube contribute cooling influences that help preserve acidity and aromatic lift.

Hirtzberger’s parcels here benefit from outstanding exposure, allowing for full physiological ripeness without sacrificing clarity. In a warm year like 2011, the site’s natural balance between richness and finesse plays a crucial role, giving the resulting wine both breadth and structure.

About the Wine

Now fourteen years after the harvest, the 2011 Hochrain Smaragd offers a beautifully evolved profile that highlights the ageing potential of top-tier Wachau Riesling. The wine shows a deep golden hue, signaling maturity and concentration.

The nose opens with dried apricot, baked peach, preserved lemon, and honeycomb, enriched by nuances of chamomile, warm stone, and a touch of almond. Despite its maturity, a bright mineral core persists, giving the wine lift and vitality.

On the palate, the wine has broadened with age, gaining a layered, almost velvety texture. The youthful fruit intensity has transitioned into more complex, honeyed tones, yet the wine remains strikingly fresh thanks to its well-preserved acidity. The mid-palate reveals a pronounced mineral tension—an unmistakable hallmark of Hochrain—that counterbalances the wine’s evolved richness.

The finish is long, resonant, and quietly powerful, leaving impressions of citrus oil, crushed rock, and subtle herbal spice.

Conclusion

The 2011 Riesling Smaragd Hochrain by Franz Hirtzberger is a captivating example of mature Wachau Riesling: rich yet finely poised, evolved yet energetic. It captures both the warmth of the vintage and the precision-driven philosophy of one of Austria’s great estates.

At the time of tasting, the 2011 Hochrain is entering its peak phase. It displays a harmonious balance between tertiary complexity, textural depth, and lingering freshness—making this an exceptional moment to enjoy the wine. While it still has the structure to evolve further, the next three to five years should represent its most rewarding drinking window.

We award this wine a 93-point DWA score—a beautifully matured, terroir-driven Riesling offering outstanding drinking pleasure at this stage of its evolution.

This review is written by our own Niels Aarts. Franz Hirtzberger and their wines are available through our partner Total Grand Cru, and can be bought in their online shop.

Taste Date:     December 2025 

Website:         Weingut Franz Hirtzberger