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Wine Description
The Story
From a historic point of view the Zöbinger Heiligenstein is not only the earliest documented but probably also the most interesting site of Kamptal.
Region: Kamptal DAC Reserve
Single Vineyard: Zöbinger Heiligenstein
Soil Type: Sandstone Elevation: 230 – 345 m
Slope Face: SSW
Vineyard: The Bründlmayer family owns 12 hectares right in the center of the Zöbinger Heiligenstein. 10.5 hectares are planted with Riesling, the remainder for experimental purposes with Cabernet (mostly Cabernet Franc). About 20% of our Heiligenstein vineyards are trained in a Lyre trellis system.
Soil: The soil consists of approximately 270 Mio years old Perm desert sandstone. The sediments contain volcanic inclusions and carbonized remains of primeval vegetation. The uniqueness of this soil, its perfect gradient and position (SW to SE in a climatic borderland) provide ideal preconditions for growing outstanding wines. During the day warm winds (often due to the effects of the Pannonian climate) mount along the site whereas by nightfall cool gusts from the north start blowing through the Kamp Valley and bring forward the aromatic expression of the grapes.
Viticulture: The vine bifurcates in a way that the branches seem to reach to the heavens like sunworshippers. This method doubles canopy exposure and favors aeration which improves photosynthesis and prevents dreaded fungus diseases. Yields are restricted by rigorous thinning and although harvest started late only healthy berries without botrytis were brought in. These techniques result in increasing the quality of grapes to show a similar intensity as those deriving from old vines.
Winemaking: We ferment the must in stainless steel at a temperature of 15 to 20° C. After fermentation, the wine matures on the lees till bottling in summer.
Tasting Note: A deep fragrance of passion fruit, yuzu citrus and peppermint radiates freshness and vitality and yet immediately drives deep. Highly elegant and distinguished, full of fruit charm and esprit, fills the mouth with bright aromas. Focused and complex all the way into the long finish. Extraordinary ageing potential.
Wine Information
Tasting notes: Brilliant from the beginning - exotic fruit fireworks led by lime and vineyard peach, and this time even with a cool touch. Tremendous freshness and radiance even in this embryonic state. In all its abundance, the wine is defined especially by its fine, focused style and very bright fruit nuances; such finesse. A continuous stream of new characteristics rise to the surface, yet the wine remains the classic Heiligensteiner that you know and appreciate. The sweet fruit play holds right through the long finish. Great potential. – Viktor Siegl
Awards:
95/100 FALSTAFF WEINGUIDE 2017/2018
93-95/100 ROBERT PARKER, THE WINE ADVOCATE 08/17
The 2016 vintage: When flowering began on June 10th, it signalled that 2016 was one of the earliest - though not extremely early - vintages, which indeed was very promising; we had expected wines that were mature, but not heavy, and were looking forward to having the entire spectrum, from light and fresh sparkling and Grüner Veltliner wines, to outstanding, late harvest Reserve quality wines.
After a relatively damp spring, the summer proved rainy as well. It was only during the last week of August that a sunny, stable weather period began, allowing for a wonderful development of ripeness.
A very sunny and warm September was followed in early October by a cooler period with alternating dry and wet phases. The entire harvest was carried out in a highly selective way: only hand-picked and hand-sorted grapes (excuding those that were good for eating) were allowed in our wine press and used for the wines.
At the beginning of November, the last grapes from the Steinmassel, Lamm, Spiegel, Heiligenstein and other vineyards were harvested with excellent quality. On January 6th, we were able to complete the vintage 2016 (+17! ) with two Eiswein (ice wine) harvests – Riesling and Muskateller. Due to changing weather conditions in the spring and summer, a lot of time and work was invested in the vineyards, which is why maximum grape quality was achieved. The wines of the vintage are characterized by very direct, linear fruit with grip and incredible freshness and vibrancy. With good cellar storage, we expect this vintage to have excellent ageing potential !
Date of harvest: October 25–26, 2016