Perpetuum blanc 2020

Wine Description for Perpetuum blanc 2020 by Johannes Zillinger

Colour & Appearance

Pale, slightly hazy golden yellow – an unfiltered, natural wine that reveals its authenticity right in the glass.

Nose

A fascinating aromatic explosion: cellar apples, meadow honey and ripe yeast dough meet beeswax and ground almonds. These are joined by blonde tobacco, walnut and candied ginger. With air contact, candied pineapple, kumquat and verbena unfold – a kaleidoscope that constantly rearranges itself.

Palate

Multi-layered and elegant at once. Vibrant acidity meets impressive vibrancy, gooseberry, lime and grapefruit dominate. The flor yeast ageing lends the wine a sensuous, silky texture, with salted lemon, verbena and lemon balm shining through. It coats the palate with a density and transparency that is rarely found.

Finish

Minutes-long, persistent, vibrant – a finale that grips the palate and allows the wine’s complexity to resonate for a long time afterwards.

Terroir & Origin

Hailing from the Weinviertel, this wine embodies the cool minerality and elegance of the region. Johannes Zillinger manages to bundle the essence of his entire winemaking style in this Perpetuum.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Pure Sauvignon Blanc, hand-harvested on 17 September 2020. 80% whole-bunch pressing, 20% intracellular fermentation in 500-litre amphorae for five days. 12 months ageing under flor yeast in old Champagne barrels. Minimal sulphur (18 mg total), pH 3.2, virtually dry (0.7g residual sugar). A vinification that demands patience and skill.

Food Pairing Recommendations

Grouper with fish roe beurre blanc, capers and fennel fronds, roasted chicken with salted lemon stuffing, capers and za’atar or spring turnip carpaccio with elderflower syrup and gooseberry oil. The wine pairs perfectly with refined fish dishes and aromatic poultry.

Special Characteristics

An extraordinary Sauvignon Blanc that need not shy away from international comparisons. The flor yeast ageing lends it a dimension that goes far beyond conventional Sauvignons – a wine for connoisseurs and those who wish to transcend boundaries.