Sabathi, Erwin - Chardonnay Ried Pössnitzberg 2020

WEINWISSER: "Südlichste Ried der Steiermark, von stark kalkhaltigem Mergel «Opok» geprägt. Deswegen wird hier auch viel Chardonnay gemacht. Beim Sauvignon Blanc neutrales großes Holz (2.500 bis 5.000 Liter). Beim Chardonnay 500 Liter-Fass. Sehr gediegene, kühle Art mit burgundischen Anklängen, zupackend und trocken, ziemlich schnörkellos, null Fett, sehr straight und linear, ungemein engmaschig gewoben und verdichtet."

FALSTAFF: "Mittleres Grüngelb, Silberreflexe. Zarte Röstaromen, ein Hauch von Biskuit, rauchig-kräuterwürzig, feines Nougat klingt an. Kraftvoll, saftig, elegant, feine Extraktsüße, gut integrierter Säurebogen, zarte gelbe Tropenfrucht, harmonisch und lange anhaftend, Nuancen von Mango im Nachhall, saliner Touch, sicheres Reifepotenzial."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2020 Chardonnay Ried Pössnitzberg GSTK offers a dense, quite opulent and also somewhat lactic nose with smoky underlying yeast notes and crystalline rock freshness. Elegant and quietly flowing on the palate, this is a dense, juicy and very aromatic Chardonnay from limestone marl soils, with grippy tannin structure and saline length. It is more influenced by winemaking than the eponymous Sauvignon and, therefore, currently less terroir-driven. But it still has good substance and length. 13% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted in Grafenegg in September 2022."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Here’s an extremely chalky expression of chardonnay, with a cool and leafy personality, but also plenty of flint and smoke character. Ample tannins make the palate feel quite a bit more weighty than it really is (13% alcohol). Firm and slightly austere finish. From organically grown grapes. Drinkable now, but best from 2023."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Complex aromas of orchard fruit, orange and a bit of uplifting mint. So supple and creamy with well-integrated nutty oak and spice. Needs a few years yet. Fine, juicy, citrus palate and a long, lingering, saline finish. Sophisticated and elegant, with chiffon layers of beauty and spice."