Ried Zieregg Steilriegel Morillon Große STK Lage 2021

Wine Description for Ried Zieregg Steilriegel Morillon Große STK Lage 2021 by Tement

Colour & Appearance

Luminous lemon yellow with greenish reflections – a wine of remarkable clarity and intensity.

Nose

Phenomenally complex and multi-layered. The aromatics shift between Asian spices – turmeric, curry, lemongrass, kaffir lime – and local stone fruit abundance: apricot, apricot, Nashi pear, glazed peach. With age, a fascinating Oriental dimension develops: saffron, white pepper, cardamom, star anise. The fruit escalates to mango, grilled pineapple and khaki – never cloying, always invigorating. Floral notes of jasmine, orchid and hydrangea frame the whole. Stony, almond nuances lend depth.

Palate

Chalk and smoke – that is the first impression of this monumental wine. It unfolds immediately with enormous presence, carried by a fine phenolic structure and delicate tannin framework. The highly active acidity (7.2 g/l) is masterfully buffered by Tement’s yeast autolysis – world-class craftsmanship. The wine pulls and pushes simultaneously on the palate; this tension between fruit, spice and mineral edge is simply magnificent. The austere coral limestone and the 30-month maturation in old 228-litre barrels are distinctly perceptible without ever dominating.

Finish

Long, mineral, with lingering spice and a freshness that invites the next sip. A wine with decades ahead of it.

Terroir & Origin

The south-western flank of the Zieregg – owned by the family for generations – lies between 400 and 480 metres on an extreme steep slope (50% gradient). 3.27 hectares with approximately 41-year-old vines on loose brown earth over austere coral limestone. This subsoil shapes the mineral signature sustainably.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Chardonnay (regionally called Morillon), spontaneously fermented, matured for 30 months on fine lees in old barriques. Bottled unfiltered. 1.9 g/l residual sugar at 7.2 g/l acidity – sublime balance for this category.

Food Pairing Recommendations

Scallops with saffron foam, pan-fried turbot, calf’s sweetbreads with morels, risotto with white truffle, mature Comté or Beaufort d’Alpage.

Special Features

A Große STK Lage wine with extraordinary ageing potential. The 2021 vintage delivered crystal-clear, perfectly ripened wines at Tement despite challenging conditions. This is great Austrian Chardonnay on par with international benchmarks.