parcellaire blanc&sauvignon 2022

Wine description for parcellaire blanc&sauvignon 2022 by Johannes Zillinger

Colour & Appearance

Luminous golden yellow in the glass, already hinting at the ripeness and substance of this unusual wine.

Nose

A fascinating aromatic profile that elegantly explores the boundaries between classical varietal typicity and natural vinification. Meadow herbs and elderflower meet lemon zest and white currants, whilst subtle notes of hop, verbena and blonde tobacco provide complexity. A hint of fennel fronds rounds out the multi-layered bouquet.

Palate

Here the true class of this wine reveals itself: ripe, round and juicy, with remarkable texture. The wine envelops the palate with creamy fullness, yet never feels heavy. The balance between ripeness and freshness is masterful – present minerality and salinity lend tension, whilst tobacco spice and nuttiness create depth. A wine of great inner calm and harmony.

Finish

Long, elegant and mineral with lingering freshness and a fine, saline note that invites the next sip.

Terroir & Origin

From the coolest, north and north-east facing parcels of Zillinger’s oldest vineyards: Hohes Eck and Lissen. The forest-adjacent vineyard sites on limestone-sandstone soils in the Weinviertel impart the wine’s characteristic minerality and freshness.

Grape Variety & Vinification

A thoughtfully composed cuvée of 62% Pinot Blanc and 38% Sauvignon Blanc, hand-harvested on 15 September 2022. The Pinot Blanc was fermented as whole bunches in Kvevri, the Sauvignon Blanc in used 500-litre tonneaux. After 12 months on lees in large barrels, the wine was bottled with minimal sulphur (35 mg/L). Spontaneous fermentation and natural vinification without oenological tricks.

Food Pairing Suggestions

A versatile companion to roasted turbot, calf’s sweetbreads, scallops or creamy risotto. Also an excellent choice with mature Comté or Beaufort.

Special Features

A prime example of the new Austrian natural wine avant-garde: technically precise, yet authentic and terroir-driven. Zillinger’s philosophical approach – minimal intervention, maximum respect for grape and origin – manifests itself here in a wine of impressive clarity and depth.