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2019 Tement Zieregg Grosse Lage Sudsteiermark Morillon (Chardonnay)
98 RP
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Review
Opening super clear, fresh and chalky on the nose, the 2019 Ried Zieregg Morillon exhibits the pure terroir with its refreshing lime and lemon aromas. Intense and complex on the palate, this is a round, very elegant, fresh and tangy Zieregg with incredible energy and tension. The finish is amazing, the wine mind-blowing and without rivals in all of South Styria. An absolutely fabulous Morillon. 13% stated alcohol. Glass stopper. Tasted in Grafenegg in September 2021. Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Robert Parker | 98 RP
Critic Reviews
Opening super clear, fresh and chalky on the nose, the 2019 Ried Zieregg Morillon exhibits the pure terroir with its refreshing lime and lemon aromas. Intense and complex on the palate, this is a round, very elegant, fresh and tangy Zieregg with incredible energy and tension. The finish is amazing, the wine mind-blowing and without rivals in all of South Styria. An absolutely fabulous Morillon. 13% stated alcohol. Glass stopper. Tasted in Grafenegg in September 2021.
Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 98 RP
A very impressive chardonnay with concentration, structure and the special herbal and citric freshness of the region. Tons of chalky minerality and serious herbal complexity at the very long, tight finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold. Glass stopper.
James Suckling | 95 JS
Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 98 RP
A very impressive chardonnay with concentration, structure and the special herbal and citric freshness of the region. Tons of chalky minerality and serious herbal complexity at the very long, tight finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold. Glass stopper.
James Suckling | 95 JS
Wine Details for 2019 Tement Zieregg Grosse Lage Sudsteiermark Morillon (Chardonnay)
| Type of Wine |
Austria White
: Few regions offer as much quality and diversity among their whites as Austria. Infused with the essence of varietals such as Gruner Veltliner, Welshriesling, and Pinot Gris (among others), these wines range from very dry to exceptionally sweet and often come with extraordinary aging potential. Give in to their charms, and come out changed forever. |
|---|---|
| Varietal |
Chardonnay
: Chardonnay has carved its path towards the title “king of white grapes” in subtle yet striking fashion, playing instrumental roles throughout the course of history. It was the chosen grape variety which celebrated the inception of the very first Champagne house - Ruinart, which insists “Chardonnay is the golden thread that runs through the Ruinart taste. “ “Remember men, it’s not just France we’re fighting for, it’s Champagne,” Winston Churchill. The infamous and celebrated French author, Alexandre Dumas once declared a high quality chardonnay wine from Le Montrachet was one that is only appropriate to sip “on bended knees, with head bowed.” And of course, history was made once again when a bottle of 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay was awarded first prize in the famous tasting of the “1976 Judgement of Paris,” changing the world’s view on California Chardonnay, inspiring vintners and altering the landscape of California winemaking forever. The origin of the Chardonnay grape can be traced back to the small village of Macon in the Burgundy appellation of France. The varietal, whose name means “a place of thistles” in Latin, is the offspring of Pinot Noir and Gouais Blanc. Like most prominent grape varietals, the exact circumstances of its inception are unknown; however, it is interesting to note that Gouais Blanc originated in Germany. It is speculated that the ancient Romans, who successfully subdued the Germanic tribes in 6 AD, planted Gouais Blanc in French soil, unwittingly prompting the crossbreeding of the two varietals. If this is the case, the history of the Chardonnay grape goes back much further. The Noble Chardonnay grape variety is most happy in the winegrowing appellation of Burgundy, its home and birth place. Burgundy’s grand Terroir of marl limestone soils and cool climate allows the Chardonnay grape to express itself to its full zenith. Interestingly, the varietal is extremely flexible and can adapt to a wide diversity of soils, allowing the terroir in which it grows to dictate the qualities of the grape and thus revealing a multitude of personalities. For instance, there are subtle yet distinguishing differences in terroir in the Burgundian villages of Puligny-Montrachet, Chablis, Meursault, Corton Charlemagne, Macon, etc. which are all fashioned in their own unique way. The difference in each Climat or Lieu-dit, such as Le Montrachet (Puligny-Montrachet) and Valmur (Chablis) can take one further down the proverbial “rabbit-hole” and into the wonderful, yet complex world of Burgundy wines. However, Burgundy is but one prime growing location for this tremendously adaptable grape variety. The spread of Chardonnay would eventually take root in Champagne, where it excelled in the region’s cool climate and chalky, sub-soils. For top Champagne producers, it became the main ingredient in their high quality, high profile Blanc de Blancs. It would also begin to be blended with the two other acceptable varietals of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier (red skinned grapes). The chardonnay grape is now planted in 10,000 of the 34,000 hectares of Champagne. Chardonnay would find its way to California in the late 1800’s but would remain obscure for more than a century due to ignorance of the varietal and lack of knowledge on how to marry it with appropriate terroir. Things changed in the 1970’s when Chardonnay saw a resurgence world-wide, mostly due to the 1976 Judgement of Paris. The unthinkable happened when a bottle of 1973 Chateau Montelena bested some of Burgundy’s finest chardonnay offerings from Batard-Montrachet and Meursault. This event helped place California on the map, changing the face of California winemaking forever. It rejuvenated the cultivation of the Chardonnay grape variety, which saw an exponential growth world-wide. Much like the climats of Burgundy which have their own unique terroir, Chardonnay’s adaptability has found a home in the diverse appellations, terroirs and climates of California. The cool climate locations produce crisp wines with Burgundian nuances, while warmer climates produce wines with opulent, ripe fruit reminiscent of pineapple, mango and papaya. Terroir also dictates the personality, steel and concrete tanks versus oak, and the list goes. From buttery, oak-infused heady wines to crisp, refreshing cool climate fashioned Chardonnays, the grape variety can be extremely modified. There are not enough letters in Microsoft Word to demonstrate all the different nuances, qualities, differences of terroir, climate and winemaking techniques that would encompass in full, the details of the Chardonnay grape. The well-travelled grape varietal of Chardonnay has become the fascination of consumers around the world, becoming the most written about of all grapes. Today, it is planted in over 40 countries, amassing an impressive 211,000 hectares (500,000 acres) across the globe. From Burgundy to Champagne, Napa to Sonoma, Chile, Argentina, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia, Chardonnay graces vineyards around the world, captivating its audience with its multiple personalities. “So powerful is the ‘C-word’ on a wine label,” as the famed Jancis Robinson exclaimed. Since its discovery in Macon, this C-word has become a dominant force in the world of wine, changing history, winemaking and the understanding of winegrowing and its powerful attributes to a single varietal. |
| Country |
Austria
: The landlocked country of Austria, in the heart of Europe, is a land of breathtaking beauty; from its rolling hills, steep slopes and valleys to its many terraces and specific regional sites which possess features that belong to the visible charm of the country’s landscape. Hidden beneath the precious soils and rocks of this wondrous landscape, which may not be visible, but of great importance to winemaking is the life-blood of the land because it significantly influences the choice of grape variety and vineyard management. This geological and vinification symbiosis has become an incredible proficiency that Austrian winemakers have honed over a long period, creating wines that truly define the terroir. Of all the major winegrowing regions in Austria, Wachau, Kremstal and Kamptal have certainly proved to be the finest locations for cultivating high quality grapes. These regions reside on the eastern part of the country, where the terroir and climate are perfectly attuned to the varietals cultivated. Lower elevations consist largely of rich, deep soils composed mostly of loess, giving way to heavy, fruit-forward wines. The many hilly and terraced vineyards are composed of free-draining gravel, which allows for the production of age-worthy wines. Due to the country’s location and the presence of the Alps, there is very little Mediterranean influence, thus creating a strongly continental climate. Warming easterly breezes and high sunshine hours provide plenty of ripening opportunities for the grapes. Ripening happens slowly and evenly here, creating a balance between sugar and acidity in the grapes and, in turn, making balanced wines. However, the climate is still tempered by the presence of the Danube and the Neusidelersee Lake to the south, creating a myriad of micro-climates and further developing complex growing conditions. Austria is renowned for its world-class production of Gruner Veltliner, its most important and most widely planted grape variety. It accounts for 32.5 percent of all vineyard space. In the past, the country was known for its sweet and botrytized version of the varietal, but producers have turned to making a more consumer-friendly, crisp, aromatic style. This modern approach has allowed its star varietal to be mentioned alongside some the finest whites on today’s market. Riesling ranks second among all white grapes grown. The finest examples of these two varietals hail from its three main growing regions (Wachau, Kremstal and Kamptal). White varieties truly dominate the country’s production; of the 44,913 hectares under vine, 30,300 are cultivated to white grape varieties, which include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Welschriesling and Pinot Blanc (known here by its German name Weissburgunder). Red wine production may be overshadowed, but to be overlooked. Red grape varieties, such as Blaufrankisch, Saint-Laurent, Pinot Noir (Blauburgunder) and its most prized red varietal, Zweigelt, flourish in the large Austrian region of Burgenland, producing wines of incredible intrigue. Zweigelt is the second most widely planted varietal in Austria, accounting for 13.9 percent of all vineyard space and produces richly colored wines with a deep, bright core of spiced cherry and raspberry flavors. The Austrian wine industry has been molded not only by its prized terroir, but also by the talent and determination of its vintners. Producers such as Heidi Shrock and Weingut Prager have risen to world-class status and are commanding global recognition. Producers may be turning to modernized ways of appeasing ever-changing palates, but is also balancing it with traditional methods, retaining such classics as the sweet Ausbruch and Strohwein. Stricter wine laws and regulations have greatly improved the quality of winemaking and in the process, has garnered world-wide attention. Austrian producers are preserving an age old tradition that began over 2000 years ago, yet reforming it into one of the leading wine producing countries in the world. |
| Region | Steiermark |
| Subregion | Sudsteiermark |
Overview
| Producer | Tement |
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