Zieregg Grosse Lage Sudsteiermark Sauvignon Blanc "IZ" Reserve

Austria
Styria
2018

The Zieregg "IZ" is a very special and limited wine. Manfred was very interested in achieving the greatest expression of origin in a bottle of wine. In 2005, he and Armin decided to experiment with intracellular fermentation. The grapes undergo an intracellular fermentation, hence "IZ" for IntraZellulare, for 100 days. This means that enzymes start the fermentation; the maximum fermentation they can achieve is five to six percent alcohol. The grapes are then pressed and finish fermentation from the natural yeasts in cask for six months. It's aged for up to five years before being released.

97 points
"Astonishingly youthful and fresh for the super-warm 2018 vintage, this has enormous lemon-curd and fresh-tarragon aromas. Imposing stature and richness, but also a stack of fine tannins and great chalky minerality. The compact and intense finish leaves no doubt. Limited production."
James Suckling ,
JamesSuckling.com
September, 2022
96 points
"Exhibiting an intense, golden-yellow color, the 2018 Ried Zieregg Reserve IZ GSTK comes from a very warm but, in Styria, also humid year and opens with a generously intense but elegant and balanced bouquet of ripe, dark yellow fruits intermingled with some fresh lemon aromas as well as saline and caramel nuances. The wine is generous and and rich but also refined and saline on the palate, which is provided with helpful phenolic grip and greenishness. The finish is dense, intense and powerful yet structured by helpful fine tannins and the Zieregg's characteristic sustainable salinity and tension. The acidity of this 2018 is mild by nature yet fine, and the fruit is juicy and clear. Possibly not the greatest IZ (abbreviated for "intrazelluläre Vergärung," particularly intracellular fermentation) so far, but it's a great 2018 from the Zieregg. Picked from older vines, and after at least 100 days from the picking date, the wine was aged on the fine lees for 42 months and bottled unfiltered. So, it represents the quintessence of the 2018 vintage in the Zieregg."
Stephan Reinhardt,
Wine Advocate
September 29, 2023

SKU/Code: 
DB4352-18
Product Line: 
National Portfolio
Wine
White
Varietal: 
Sauvignon Blanc
Farming Type: 
Organic