St. Zehetbauer Ried Steinberg Chardonnay 2015 Leithaberg DAC

13.5% abv. Schützen am Gebirge, Burgenland

Sleek, racy, and elegant. This is a gorgeous Chardonnay from Stefan Zehetbauer in Schützen am Gebirge. The bouquet is a basket of citrus and tree fruit. Green apple and quince. Creme brûlée, caramel, and spice dance delightfully on the palate in creamy velvety smooth waves. Whereas others ferment in oak, Zehetbauer ferments in stainless steel giving the wine a more nimble character. Malolactic fermentation is blocked to avoid dairy or butter notes from dominating the landscape. Élevage in lightly toasted, used Stockinger Austrian oak barrels for 12 months. This is Elegance over Muscle. Finesse rather than brawn. The Steinberg vineyard, with its south-west facing aspect and heat retaining soils of mica-schist, is one of the best sites in Leithaberg for producing ripe but steely-framed wines. Drink now to 2030. Superb value for money.

Rating: * * * *

Price: 18-20 EUR