Elena Walch "Vigna Castel Ringberg" Pinot Grigio DOC 2023
(Alto Adige, Italy) - [JS 93] [WS 91] [DM 91] [VM 91]

About the Vintage:

We are delighted with an interesting 2023 vintage! Even though we have experienced a challenging growing season with alternating warm and cool periods with some rain, we have had a fantastic harvest season with the best possible weather conditions for ripening. After a midsummery June and July, followed by high rainfall at the beginning of August, the grapes were able to benefit and ripen for a long time from the optimal conditions with plenty of sunshine. Harvest began late in early September with ideal weather conditions which were only replaced by more unstable weather towards the end. Warm daytime temperatures and cool nights allowed the grapes to reach optimum ripeness with balanced acidity levels and clear fruit, and good structure.

About the Vineyard:

Vigna is the finest expression of "terroir" wines and an important element of Italian wine culture. It is an additional geographical indication and describes a strictly defined and geographically limited vineyard.

With its 20 hectares, the Vigna "Castel Ringberg" is the largest contiguous Vigna in Alto Adige and has been owned by the Walch family for about a century. The alternately moderately and steeply sloping vineyard is located at a unique geological interface of complex soils. Here lies the origin of many of Elena Walch’s award-winning wines of the greatest finesse and minerality.

Vigna “Castel Ringberg” offers an impressive diversity of rock varieties that are mirrored in the complexity of the wines. To the west, the dolomite rock of the Mendola ridge accompanies the vineyards; the steeper slopes are of 30,000 year old glacial gravel from the Adige River which flowed through the Ice Age landscape. Loose soils offer grapevine roots, especially those of the Chardonnay, Sauvignon and Lagrein varieties, optimal aeration. In the overlying layers, mostly thousand-year-old classical lime soils from the Mendola ridge alternate with spots of moraine deposits – rocks carried from as far away as the upper reaches of the Venosta valley by glaciers, further enhancing the composition of the soil.

Vinification:

Gentle pressing, followed by static clarification. A part ferments in stainless steel tanks
under controlled temperature (20°C). 40% of the must ferments in large oak barrels and
barriques (Allier) followed by partial malolactic fermentation. The blending occurs
shortly before bottling in springtime the following year.

Tasting Notes:

A clear straw yellow characterizes the Pinot Grigio Vigna “Castel Ringberg”. A complex variety of fruits, especially ripe pears and lime blossom, as well as spicy sage notes inform the bouquet. Structure and elegance, power and harmony dominate the palate, combined with creamy fullness and density. A single vineyard Pinot Grigio with a lot of character!

93 Points - James Suckling:
"Quite obvious salt and pepper with layered fruit such as melon and apples. Medium-bodied. Juicy and savory with crisp acidity and a polished aftertaste. Drink now." (June 2025)

91 Points - Wine Spectator:
"A well-meshed white, with a delicate, floral overtone and a spine of finely cut acidity enlivening a plump and creamy range of apple, pear, melon, macadamia nut and lemon curd notes. Hints of vanilla and ginger play on the finish." - Alison Napjus (Nov 2025)

91 Points - Vinous Media:

"The 2023 Pinot Grigio Vigna Castel Ringberg is understated in the glass as hints of freshly sliced pear and wet stone form its bouquet. It is sweetly focused and energetic with ripe pit fruits and an inner air of mint that adds lift. It cleans up well, remaining crisp while leaving a citrus twang to resonate." - Erin Brooks (Dec 2025)

91 Points - Decanter Magazine:

"Supple, fresh and balanced with concentrated flavours of ripe apple, pear, almond, peach blossom and a hint of aniseed." (June 2025)