Elena Walch Alto Adige Beyond the Clouds 2018

95 points James Suckling: "Very intense aromas of ripe apples, spice, toffee, dried mushrooms and candied orange, following through to a full body with layers of beautiful fruit and a phenolic mouth feel that makes it chewy and fascinating. Dried-apple, walnut, praline and toffee notes at the end. Drink or hold. (8/10/20)"

94+ points Monica Larner (Wine Advocate): "A blend of mostly Chardonnay with a small selection of other white grapes, the Elena Walch 2018 Alto Adige Beyond the Clouds is fragrant and bright with a little sliver of Italian sunshine locked deep within. It reveals yellow rose, orchard fruit, dried apricot, pine nut and acacia honey. This vintage is less overtly perfumed than previous editions I have tasted. Beyond the Clouds appears dry in terms of mouthfeel in 2018, whereas previous vintages showed a little more softness and fruity plushness. If this vintage represents a turning point in the wine's style, I give it two thumbs up. I love the linearity and the refreshing acidity. Production is 14,000 bottles. Drink: 2020-2028. (Sep 2020)"

93 points Eric Guido (Vinous): "The 2018 Beyond the Clouds is made up primarily of Chardonnay blended with a number of other white varieties from Elena Walch’s top selection, which are then fermented together in new Barriques, where the wine stays on the lees for another ten months. The 2018 is currently quite youthful, showing more of its vanillin oak than fruit. Still, there’s plenty of ripe apples, peaches, minty herbs and even a note of kiwi to be found. It’s on the palate where this impresses the most, densely packed and poised, but also wonderfully balanced with an interplay of acids and minerals that offset its ripe fruits and hints of spicy wood. Nearly a minute goes by before its sweet inner florals dissipate on the neatly framed finish. Drink: 2022-2032. (Nov 2020)"

Producer notes: "A brilliant straw yellow characterizes the white cuvée “Beyond the Clouds.” 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. A selection of our finest white grapes, predominantly Chardonnay."