Ried Bergschmallister Jois, Leithaberg DAC 2021

Wine Description for Ried Bergschmallister Jois Leithaberg DAC 2021 by Nittnaus Anita & Hans

Colour & Appearance

Luminous golden yellow with delicate silvery reflections – a Chardonnay that announces elegance right from the glass.

Nose

Still youthfully reserved, yet of impressive depth. The terroir speaks unmistakably: slate and limestone leave their signature in the form of cool minerality and a characteristic hint of flint. With a little air – the decanter is here not a luxury but a necessity – firm pear, fresh apple, quince and a fine citrus note unfold, framed by subtle spice from the oak barrel ageing.

Palate

Powerful and precise at once. The wine strikes with considerable drive and juicy fruit – apple, pear and meadow herbs weave together elegantly. The texture is taut, the spice pronounced, yet never losing control. A Chardonnay with Burgundian finesse that nonetheless carries its Austrian origins with pride.

Finish

Long, refined and suffused with clear minerality. A piquant, lively tannin in the aftertaste whets the appetite for the next course – and the next sip.

Terroir & Origin

The vineyard site Bergschmallister in the lower part of the Joiser Tannenberg is, at around 0.4 hectares, a true micro-terroir. Slate bedrock, overlaid with considerable limestone, characterises the wine with that cool, penetrating minerality that distinguishes great white wines. A site made for Chardonnay.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Chardonnay, hand-harvested, vinified for the first time in the 2015 vintage as an independent cuvée. Ageing in small oak barrels lends the wine structure and spice without masking its origins. With 14.0% vol. and a dry profile, a wine with backbone and ageing potential.

Food Pairing Recommendations

An ideal companion for complex cuisine: porcini ragout with fennel and truffle, linguine with prawns, trout roe and citrus fruits or a festive poularde from the salt crust with poultry jus and carrot-celeriac soufflé. Please do not chill too much – served in a large glass it truly comes into its own.

Special Features

A vineyard wine of rarity value from one of Burgenland’s most exciting white wine estates. Those who exercise patience now will be rewarded – this Chardonnay has what it takes to improve considerably.