Ried Zieregg IZ Reserve, Große STK Lage 2015

A mature white wine of immense concentration that shows no fatigue after almost ten years. Carried by its spiciness, the fruit shifts from moment to moment.

The Ried Zieregg in Southern Styria rests on calcareous marl and coralline limestone. Because the terroir is so multifaceted, the single vineyard was divided into 16 parcels that are farmed individually. Weingut Tement in Ehrenhausen cultivates nearly 100 hectares; the conversion to biodynamic farming began in 2017, two years after this vintage.

Sauvignon Blanc, fermented using the proprietary IZ® intracellular berry fermentation method developed in 2005: alcoholic fermentation begins inside the intact berry skin, giving each berry over 100 days to ferment slowly and gently, capturing the terroir expression of its vine. The grapes are then pressed, followed by 54 months on the fine lees without sulphur in neutral oak casks. After 4.5 years of fine lees contact, the wine was bottled unfiltered in April 2020.

The nose is led by cardamom, curry, and saffron, accompanied by persimmon, mirabelle plum, and peach; Nashi pear, grapefruit, and kaffir lime leaves provide a tart, vibrant counterpoint. Beneath lie notes of brioche, butterscotch, and spelt pastry, with anise, coriander seed, fennel, and artichoke in the background. The first sip enters with power and intensity, then reveals a stony, saline character—full of freshness and invigorating rather than heavy.

54 months of sulphur-free maturation, unfiltered bottling, 13.5% ABV, dry. Manfred Tement co-founded the Steirische Klassik (STK) with like-minded vintners in 1986; today, his sons Armin and Stefan work alongside him at the estate.