Stein Sauvignon Blanc DOC - Weingut Eichenstein

Stein Sauvignon Blanc DOC - Weingut EichensteinA glass of Stein Sauvignon Blanc DOC - Weingut Eichenstein sparkles in a clear, pale straw yellow with shiny greenish reflections in the light. The color appears taut and precise, entirely in the style of the cool higher altitudes of South Tyrol. Even at the first swirl, an intense fragrance rises from the glass, revealing the Sauvignon Blanc grape variety with energetic clarity. On the nose, ripe passion fruit meets crisp gooseberry, accompanied by notes of lime and grapefruit. Fine nuances of white currant, freshly cut grass and a hint of nettle create complexity without any heaviness. A delicate floral touch of elderflower and acacia blossom hovers above everything. In the background lies a cool, almost salty minerality reminiscent of crushed granite stone, echoing the mountain character of Alto Adige. On the palate, the Stein Sauvignon Blanc DOC - Weingut Eichenstein presents itself straightforward, dry and very animating. The first sip feels juicy and vibrant, carried by the enlivening acidity and the crisp mouthfeel. Passion fruit and gooseberry clearly come to the fore, accompanied by yellow kiwi, lime zest and a hint of green bell pepper. The texture remains slender and firm, with a fine pull across the tongue. With a bit of air, the wine gains depth. The fruit steps back somewhat, while spicy and mineral facets come more strongly to the forefront. Subtle hints of lemon balm, mint and wet stone round out the picture. The body remains medium-weight, elegant and fine, with a remarkable freshness. The acidity appears precisely integrated and carries the wine far into a long, crystal-clear finish. On the finish, passion fruit, grapefruit and a delicate, bitter note of pink pomelo reappear. A touch of white pepper spice and cool minerality lingers on the palate for a long time. In this way, this Sauvignon Blanc shapes a style that combines freshness, clarity and alpine character. Old World focus on origin meets a very modern aromatic profile. The origin in the granite soils around Merano lends this wine its fine, linear structure. The high altitude brings cooler nights, which sharpens the aromatic expression and keeps the acidity taut. The single-varietal vinification of Sauvignon Blanc shows the grape variety in pure form, without any masquerade from other grapes or dominant oak aromas. Typical aromas in this Sauvignon Blanc are particularly pronounced. These include, among others: Juicy exotic fruit such as passion fruit and mango Crisp gooseberry and white currant Citrus freshness from lime, grapefruit and lemon zest Grassy and herbal notes such as freshly cut grass, nettle and lemon balm Fine minerality with hints of cool granite and wet stone This gives the style a clearly defined character: fruit-driven, taut, with cool elegance and vibrant tension. The wine thus accompanies both pleasurable everyday moments and refined occasions with higher expectations. Its DOC classification from Alto Adige underscores the quality focus of Weingut Eichenstein and highlights the regional identity. Production of Stein Sauvignon Blanc DOC from Weingut Eichenstein The grapes for this Sauvignon Blanc come from selected parcels in Alto Adige around Merano. The alpine climate brings warm, sunny days and significantly cooler nights. This temperature range promotes the aromatic depth of the grapes while preserving freshness and structure. The granite soils shape the character with clear minerality and give the wine its taut, linear drive. In this high-altitude site, Sauvignon Blanc shows its full potential. The variety tends toward intense aromatics, from exotic fruit to grassy notes. The cool nights in South Tyrol bring a very fine acid structure and keep the aromas precise and clear. This creates a wine that brings fruit richness and elegance into a harmonious balance. The harvest is carried out selectively, parcel by parcel, over a period that unites ripe aromas and fresh acidity. Part of the grapes is brought to the press early to secure the citrus-fresh style. Another part remains on the vine a bit longer, so that exotic fruit aromas such as passion fruit and mango become more pronounced. The harvested fruit undergoes careful sorting so that only the best berries reach the cellar. In the cellar, Weingut Eichenstein relies on gentle processing. The grapes are brought quickly to the press with a short maceration time. Gentle pressing ensures clear, pure musts without coarse tannins. The must rests briefly for pre-clarification before fermentation begins. Temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks keeps the aromas fresh and intense without masking them. Maturation takes place predominantly in stainless steel so that fruit, herbal spice and minerality are at the forefront. Ageing on the fine lees over several months brings a delicate, creamy play to the texture without making the wine seem broad. Regular stirring of the lees, bâtonnage, lends additional depth and a discreet melting note on the palat...