Ried Zieregg Kapelle Sauvignon Blanc Große STK Lage 2020

The wines from the Ried Zieregg vineyard are the ones that have made the Tement winery world-famous. Ried Zieregg is the Tements' home vineyard, situated at an altitude of 330 to 490 metres and characterised by different types of limestone such as coral shell limestone, limestone weathering and limestone marl, each with quite thin layers of clay. The microclimate of this site, in combination with the soils and the more than 40-year-old vines, produces wines with high and elegant aromas and a unique ageing potential, to which the organic and very elaborate farming methods also contribute. However, since the Ried Zieregg is a large site with different microclimates, soil structures and sun exposures, the Tements also bottle some plots individually. What used to happen here and there has manifested itself with the 2020 vintage, which has to do with the changed site legislation in southern Styria. As a result, the Tements have now divided the mountain into four sites: Ried Zieregg, Ried Zieregg Kapelle, Ried Zieregg Kår and Ried Zieregg Steilriegel.

The Zieregg »Chapel« is a Sauvignon Blanc from the plateau above the winery, situated at the foot of the Carmelite Chapel. It is 1.48 hectares, about 7,000 vines aged 18 years, and thus the youngest part of the vineyard. It is situated at 470 m above sea level, gets sun all day, but is enveloped by a cooling forest mantle. The soil is characterised by heavy clay and loam on coral limestone. The spontaneously fermented wine is aged in neutral used 700-litre barrels.

light golden yellow

The Zieregg »Chapel« is a very own Zieregg-type with lots of crushed stone and smoke on the nose, which combines with notes of green pears, vinegars, limequats, mint and lichen. With air, the citrus side, but also the Sauvignon Blanc identity of gooseberries and cassis becomes increasingly clear. At the moment, this seems like a congenial combination of southern Styria and Pouilly-Fumé, silex in its purest form, as it were!

On the palate the Zieregg »Chapel« absolutely pure and clear like liquefied stone with iodine, lime and lemon juice, green apples and pears, gooseberries and some elderflower. Above all, however, it is the stone that is blasted here by a punchy acidity. The wine is reminiscent of crystals, combined with salt lemon, white pepper and green fruit notes. The finish is long, salty and razor-sharp. Zieregg for purists!