2021 Weingut Emmerich Knoll Wachau Ried Loibenberg Smaragd Riesling

Meet Emmerich Knoll III, a passionate ambassador for Austria’s Wachau wine region. He farms 37 acres of family vineyards, producing wines that beautifully showcase the unique Unterloiben terroir—home to some of Austria’s most celebrated vineyards. For over three generations, the Knoll family has proudly owned and operated this treasured winery.

While their focus is on Grüner Veltliner and Riesling, they also grow small amounts of Rivaner, Gelber Traminer, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay, making their offerings diverse and exciting.

As a proud member of “Vinea Wachau Nobilis Districtus”—an elite association of Wachau winemakers following strict quality standards—Knoll Winery consistently produces wines that earn top spots on Michelin restaurant including the legendary 3-star Michelin restaurant, The French Laundry.

And about that famous label? While some jokingly call it the “exploding Jesus,” it actually depicts St. Urban, based on a painting by renowned Austrian artist Siegfried Stoitzner. You can see the original hanging in the Knoll family’s 400-year-old restaurant, Loibnerhof.

The Wachau, less than 15 miles long and just an hour from Vienna, is one of Austria’s most celebrated wine regions. Its steep, stone-terraced vineyards rise along the north bank of the Danube River, creating a breathtaking landscape and ideal conditions for winemaking.

Loibenberg is one of the Wachau’s most renowned vineyards, celebrated for its steep, terraced slopes and ancient Urgestein (gneiss) soils. Nestled on the north bank of the Danube, it benefits from excellent sun exposure, allowing for the production of structured, spicy wines with remarkable depth and complexity. These wines reflect the unique terroir, where centuries-old stone walls support vines deeply rooted in rocky soils. Loibenberg stands as a true testament to the Wachau’s winemaking excellence, delivering wines that are both powerful and refined, perfectly embodying the region’s character and heritage.

100% Riesling. See Critical Reviews for detailed tasting notes

Haunting nose of delicate exotic fruit with a light, smoky note. Ripe and rich with enormous concentration, this is a dry riesling masterpiece that has decades ahead of it, thanks to the astonishing balance. Leaves you speechless at the extraordinary finish, where ripeness and fineness are almost perfectly married. Drink or hold. ~99 James Suckling

Light yellow gold, silver reflections. Hints of fresh yellow fruit, a touch of pineapple and mango, soft notes of floral honey. Juicy, a bit of apricot, fine acidity, a hint of blossom honey, full-bodied without being opulent, yellow peach on the finish, mineral aftertaste, very good length, a great food wine with ageing potential. ~97 Falstaff

Youthful color, pronounced bouquet, pink grapefruit, peach, apricot, full-bodied wine, striking acidity, close-knit texture, delicate melting finish, fruity-spicy aftertaste ~96 A La Carte Wein-Guide

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