Shell limestone and thirty-year-old vines make this wine special, with a complex floral-spicy bouquet and an almost impenetrable concentration of fruit. On the palate this Sauvignon Blanc from Hochgrassnitzberg inspires with great aromatic complexity, with concentrated minerality and a delicate, fine structure. An extraordinary wine with a very long finish and great potential. This wine was nominated the best Sauvignon Blanc of Austria and is now the winner of the Vinaria 2020.

Attributes

Origin:	Austria / Steiermark / Südsteiermark
Site / vineyard:	Hochgrassnitzberg / Grosse STK Lage
Grape variety:	Sauvignon Blanc
Label:	Vegan
Ripening potential:	2 to 12 years after harvest
Drinking temperature:	10 to 12 °C
Food Pairing:	Smoked fish, Goat's cheese, Hot vegetable curries, Asparagus specialities
Vinification:	fermentation with grapes' own yeast, fermentation in wooden barrel
Harvest:	hand-picking
Maturation:	in large wooden barrel/foudre
Maturation duration:	15 months
Volume:	13.5 %
Note:	Contains sulphites

Grape variety

Sauvignon Blanc

The Sauvignon blanc can be recognized with your eyes closed. Its typical bouquet is marked by green notes: freshly cut grass, tomato bunches, gooseberry. Citrus fruits, cassis and flint join into the mix. In warmer latitudes it also shows exotic aromas, such as passion fruit. Its acidity is decidedly lively. In all likelihood, it comes from the Loire Valley, where it is vinified in Pouilly-Fumé and Sancerre in its purest form: varietally, and without timber. In the 18th century, it found its way to Bordeaux. Ambitious producers assemble it there with Sémillon into substantial whites, which are aged in oak barrels. The Sauvignon blanc has been a sensational success in the past 20 years in New Zealand. With its refreshing sweet-and-sour style, winemakers from down under have conquered the world. The rich Sauvignons from Styria and crisp examples of South Tyrol and Friuli are worth mentioning as well. It pairs with anything from the sea. Or do it like they do on the Loire, and enjoy it with goat cheese.

Subregion

Südsteiermark

Südsteiermark: Weisse Klasse in vielen Nuancen

Nirgendwo sonst zeigt der Sauvignon Blanc so einen Facettenreichtum wie in der Südsteiermark. Als «Steirische Klassik» lernen wir ihn geradlinig und erfrischend unkompliziert kennen, im «High End»-Bereich begegnet er uns als vielschichtige und auch lagerungsfähige Lagen-Selektion von alten Reben, die heute zumeist im grossen Eichenfass ausgebaut wird. Neben dem Sauvignon überzeugen hier besonders auch die Muskateller Weine. Sie vereinen intensive Aromatik mit animierender Bekömmlichkeit.

Region

Steiermark

Styria: the fresh, white wave

The southern cultivation area of Austria surprises with its refreshing white wines. Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Chardonnay (referred to here as Morillon) impress with their own profiles. Since the opening of the border with Slovenia – where the Iron Curtain once hung in its more moderate form – a dynamic, cross-border wine culture has developed. It almost seems as if the vibrancy of the hilly landscapes is reflected in the wines themselves.

Country

Austria

Austria – Sumptuous culture, accessible to all

Austria is characterized by unbelievable topographical diversity. A flat steppe in the east, forests and hills in the Alpine regions, wetlands and Mediterranean landscapes in the south. This in addition to a rich tradition and even greater love. It’s no surprise that the Romans found joy on this patch of Earth and cultivated wine growing. Austrian wine is not abundant, but it is high quality.

Rating

Parker 94 Points