Ciringa Reserve 2021

A dry Sauvignon Blanc at 12.5% ABV that demands time: profound and intense, it initially calls for a decanter and large glasses. Then emerge wild herbs, yeasty notes, lime zest, and green bell pepper; the longer the bottle breathes, the more prominent the fruit becomes: green mango, papaya, blackcurrant, and passion fruit.

Ciringa is the Slovenian name for Zieregg. The vineyard sits at 340 to 480 metres above sea level, directly adjacent to the premier cru Zieregg on the Slovenian side of the border, where the Tement family cultivates 20 hectares. The subsoil consists of barren coral limestone overlaid with loose brown earth.

Single-varietal Sauvignon Blanc. The Reserve is produced only in exceptional vintages: spontaneous fermentation, 42 months in large neutral oak casks and stainless steel tanks, bottled unfiltered. Here, wood serves purely as a vessel, not as seasoning.

Spicy, distinctive, and demanding, brimming with minerality and invigorating acidity. The fruit presents citrus notes, as if dusted with salt, alongside renewed hints of green mango. The finish is long, mineral-driven, and defined by a savoury tannin structure. A white wine of great depth and remarkable ageing potential.

Manfred Tement took over the estate in 1976 with just three hectares; today it spans nearly 100 hectares on both sides of the Austrian-Slovenian border, with viticulture and winemaking led by Armin Tement. The conversion to biodynamic farming began in 2017 and was completed in 2022 with Demeter certification; the winery is also a member of Respekt-BIODYN. The Ciringa range proudly carries the Demeter logo.