Hannes Sabathi - Ried Jägersberg Chardonnay 2020

Vintage: 2020
Varietal: Chardonnay
Appellation: Südsteiermark DAC
Vineyard Designation: Ried Jägersberg STK Erste Lage
Sulphur (SO2): 104ppm (50ppm free)
Sugar: Dry
Acid: 5.2 g/L
Production Size: 4,000 btls
Altitude: 350m (1148.29ft)
Vineyard Age: 20 years old
Residual Sugar: 1.1 g/L
Tannin: None
Alcohol %: 13.5

Except for the beginning, 2019 was overall mild and very dry. The harvest began in mid-September and developed very well through the mild days without rainfall. The nights were very cold, which gave the wine great structure and acidity. All grapes were hand harvested as dictated by the landscape.

Soil Type(s): chalky base with sand and loam, facing south

Fermentation took place with the use of native yeasts in 50% old 1500L barrels and 50% stainless steel. The wine was then matured in neutral barrels on their full lees without sulfur addition for 16 months. The wine was then racked, sulfured, and matured on its fine lees for 2 more months. Before being bottled, the wine are fined one last time through a rocky substance called kieselguhr trapping any left solids in the micro-crystalline rock structure. The resulting wines are absolutely flawless with diamond-like brilliance to the eye.

Grapes are grown organically on the sides of steep mountain slopes in the southern corner of the country. Styria (Steiermark) produces just 5% of Austria's wine, but even that number is impressive considering just a generation or two ago there was almost no grapes being grown here. In the past, people tried to plant grapes on the flat valley lands. Due to the humidity, these had bad rot problems. After the anti-freeze scandal of the mid 80s, folks began experimenting in the region. This led to vineyards being planted on mountain slopes at high elevation to combat humidity. A strong focus on international grapes has led Chardonnay to be stand out here. Chardonnay is known as Morillon in this part of Austria, a synonym it also has in Switzerland. The Jägersberg Chardonnay is equivalent to a Premier Cru level wine in Burgundy or an Erste Lage in German VDP classification.

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