Wohlmuth 2020 Sauvignon Blanc, Reid Hochsteinriegl

The Wine

Tasting - Inviting yellow tropical fruits with subtle hints of guava, pineapple, and lime zest. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied with white fruit flavors, subtle lychee, fine acidity, a lemony touch, and a silky texture. The finish lingers with a salty minerality.

Vineyard - This is a single-vineyard wine from "Ried Hochsteingiegl", family-owned since 1803, a steep (78% incline), south-facing site situated between 480 and 520 meters above sea level can only be worked by hand. The vineyard's red slate soils yield expressive Sauvignon Blanc wines. 

Critical Acclaim - 96pts, J. Suckling, 95pts, Falstaff, 93pts, R. Parker (Wine Advocate), 97pts A la Carte Wein-Guide.

The Winery

Weingut Wohlmuth is a well-regarded family winery in Kitzeck im Sausal, within Austria's Südsteiermark (South Styria) region. This area is home to Austria's highest-altitude vineyards, yielding very sought-after, distinctive wines, almost 90% of which are white. The colorful village is postcard perfect, though with just 1,200 residents, it sees as more tourists than citizens.

Established in 1803, the estate has been passed down through generations and is currently managed by Gerhard Wohlmuth and his family. The winery is celebrated for its commitment to traditional, sustainable viticulture and the production of high-quality wines that reflect the unique terroir of the region.

Weingut Wohlmuth cultivates approximately 57 hectares of vineyards, many of which are situated on some of Europe's steepest slopes, with gradients reaching up to 90%. These vineyards are located at elevations between 400 and 600 meters above sea level, contributing to significant diurnal temperature variations that enhance grape quality. The soils are predominantly composed of red and black phyllitic slate, imparting a distinctive minerality to the wines.