WTN: Love for a grape I hate

I generally get along very, very badly with Sauvignon Blanc, even, surprisingly, the Loire ones. But on occasion I come across one that is very satisfying.

Sattlerhof Sauvignon Blanc 2009 - Gamlitz, Südsteiermark, Austria

12,5% abv; c.16€; glass stopper. This is Sattlerhof's basic SB, he also has a Sernauberg and Kranachberg single vineyard SBs that I once tried in a big tasting and would frankly like to try at home, too, if they ever become available here. But even this basic one is pretty special.

Colorless. Strongly mineral aroma, very pure and much more elegant than my memories of the '07 and '08 are (I thought they were rather on the heavy end of the spectrum). Not a fireworks like the stereotypical Kiwi SB, but it is still a fruity style of SB though gladly not tropically fruity. Wonderful grip on the palate so it is invigorating despite the fruit. Quite a lovely drop!

[Jenise]

Not surprised that if a SB were to grab you, it would be Austrian. Thanks for the report--not a producer I've run into yet.

[James Roscoe]

I hear very good things about Austrian SBs. They should start coming our way more frequently in the future. This was from a guy who reps for Winebow here in the DC area.

So how does Austrian SB compare to Austrian GV? The two grapes do have some similarities - and given that, although to be honest I'd never heard of Austrian SB before now, I'm not entirely surprised that it does well there. Well, I love SB, and I like GV, so will have to get my hands on some. Thanks!

So how does Austrian SB compare to Austrian GV?

They're both white?

They're both grown in Austria?


The Austrian SBs tend to be highly acidic, steely, minerally, and often with screeching acidity. Very linear and intense, basically. More pyrazines than Gruner.

I'd like to tell you how the SBs age, but I can't, because I drink them up as soon as I get them.

If you drink Austrian SB, get them from Steiermark (Styria). There's a lot of different styles. The Klassik wines come from steel tank and are best to drink after 2-3 years. The Lagenweine (Appellations) start to get interesting after 5-6 years. Vineyards are experimenting with Barriques, traditional 400-l styrian oak barrels and 1500-l oval oak barrels. Critics compare SB's from the Steiermark with those from the Loire area in France.

If you drink Austrian SB, get them from Steiermark (Styria). There's a lot of different styles. The Klassik wines come from steel tank and are best to drink after 2-3 years. The Lagenweine (Appellations) start to get interesting after 5-6 years. Vineyards are experimenting with Barriques, traditional 400-l styrian oak barrels and 1500-l oval oak barrels. Critics compare SB's from the Steiermark with those from the Loire area in France.

Yes! Also: Strauss makes SB from the Gamlitzberg Vineyard in Südsteiermark; beautiful wines with notes of citrus, herbs, and pepper.