Elena Walch 'Beyond the Clouds' 2021
Elena Walch is a leading Alto Adige wine estate, in family hands, and belongs to the elite in Italian wine production, with international success.
Encouraging quality and innovation, Elena Walch stood at the head of the Alto Adige quality revolution and has gained local and international esteem for her efforts. An architect by trade, Elena Walch married into one of the oldest and most significant wine families of the region and brought new, modern concepts to the traditional establishment. Now, the responsibility for the family business is being put into the hands of the daughters, Julia and Karoline Walch, already the fifth generation.
The philosophy of the estate is dedicated to its terroir – the idea that wines must be the individual expression of their soil, climate and cultivation in the vineyard – and that this must be maintained according to principles of sustainability and passed on to the next generation. The firm belief that the quality of wine is created in the vineyard requires uncompromising work, taking into account the individuality of each vineyard. With 60 hectares in cultivation, including the two top vineyards VIGNA Castel Ringberg in Caldaro und VIGNA Kastelaz in Tramin, Elena Walch belongs to the most important protagonists of Alto Adige winemaking.
The wines show character, elegance and great personality, reflecting the most professional winemaking. The superb climatic conditions and the excellent location of the vineyards produce fresh and fruity white wines as well as concentrated and velvety red wines.
A brilliant straw yellow characterizes the white cuvée. On the nose, a complex, beguiling aroma game with notes of white flowers and fruit nuances from stone fruit and pineapple, capped by a fine mineral approach. Elegant and multi-layered, the wine presents itself with a discreetly integrated, restrained wood note on the palate: with finesse and power, exciting and with great development potential and a vibrant finish.
The various grape varieties get picked as soon as the Chardonnay reaches optimum maturity. All varieties get crushed and pressed together after which they also ferment together in new French oak barriques. Part of the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation, after which it is matured for another 10 months in barrique with lees being regularly stirred up. The finished wine is bottle aged for at least 6 months before being released.
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Varietal Composition | 80% Chardonnay, 20% Field Blend |
| Appellation | Alto Adige |
| Designation | DOC |
| Alcohol | 13.50% |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Country of Origin | ITALY |
| State of Origin | N/A |
| Artificially Carbonated | No |
| Sparkling Wine | No |
This is a fantastic white, with complex aromas of pineapple, mango stone, papaya, honeysuckle, lemon pie, praline, gunflint and salted butter. It’s full-bodied, but elegant and fresh, with a caressing melted-butter feel. Evolving layers of tropical fruit with flowers and subtle nuttiness. Hard to resist. Drink or hold. - James Suckling, 96 pts
Yellow orchard fruit, melon, papaya and pineapple nose. A luscious mouthfeel of ripe melon and red apple balanced by lively acidity, creamy oak and a poised and precise finish. A serious quality contender with a long, poised and precise finish. Pitch-perfect now but still lots of life ahead. - Decanter, 95 pts
