Elena Walch Alto Adige Beyond the Clouds 2020

96 points James Button (Decanter): "I've asked fifth-generation Julia Walch on several occasions about the blend for Beyond The Clouds, but she steadfastly refuses to give away the secret, other than to confirm that it's ‘up to 85% Chardonnay’. 2000 was the first release and it has since risen to become one of Alto Adige's most noteworthy whites. The grapes are all picked on the same day and co-fermented in French oak barriques, one-third new. Still woody, it's clean and fresh with an intense stony core of pithy pink grapefruit, apricot skin, nectarine, and some smoky, flinty notes. Vertical and with great balance, it combines glacial freshness with a creamy, fragrant finish of apricot and jasmine. Older vintages have developed lovely exotic yellow fruit characters, and you can expect the same here. Loads of potential. Drinking Window: 2024-2036. (4/8/23)"

96 points James Suckling: "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. (8/8/22)"

95+ points Luca Gardini: "The usual, fine hand of Elena Walch winery in this ‘white blend’ of all the varieties present in the vineyard. The nose is extremely elegant, with notes of mango and pineapple, with a pleasant hint of white pepper in the background. The mouthfeel is brackish, complex, crisp. A slightly almondy note on the closure. (Oct 2022)"

94 points Eric Guido (Vinous): "The 2020 Beyond the Clouds is delicate and youthfully understated, opening slowly with gingery spice, lime zest and crushed apple nuances. This is elegant and silky in feel, with an outstanding purity of fruit and brisk acidity that adds an energetic feel. Crisp orchard fruits, citrus sorbet, minerals and even a hint of savory spice can all be found as the 2020 finishes with outstanding length and youthful tension. This is a drop-dead gorgeous rendition of Beyond the Clouds. Drink: 2024-2030. (May 2023)"

93 points Monica Larner (Wine Advocate): "This is the estate's Grande Cuvée. A celebrated blend of mostly Chardonnay and other fragrant varieties, the Elena Walch 2020 Alto Adige Beyond the Clouds is a generous, mid-weight white with sweet aromas of honey, candied fruit, pastry cream and lemon mousse. Delicate mineral tones turn the wine over to more nuanced flavors and long-lasting intensity. Soft spice adds to the wine's broad and open texture. This is a production of 14,000 bottles. Drink: 2022-2028. (12/8/22)"