Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Weingut Hannes Sabathi
Gamlitz . Südsteiermark
2013
Press information: Wine&Partners . Vienna . T: +43 1 369 79 90 0 . [email protected]
2
Contents
1. The Region ..................................................................................................................... 3 2. The Winery and its History ............................................................................................... 4 3. The Winemaker ............................................................................................................... 4
3 a. Time to Mature ......................................................................................................... 6 3 b. The Vision ................................................................................................................ 7 3c. STK ........................................................................................................................... 7
4. The Wine Range ............................................................................................................. 8 5. The “Lagen” - Single-Vineyards Sites ............................................................................... 9
5. a. Kranachberg and its Wine ......................................................................................... 9 5. b. Jägerberg and its Wine ........................................................................................... 10
6. The Südsteiermark ........................................................................................................ 11 7. Useful Figures ............................................................................................................... 13 8. Awards and Accolades ................................................................................................... 14 9. Contact ........................................................................................................................ 22
3
1. The Region
The Südsteiermark (South Styria) is one’s text-book impression of a wine growing area, with its
steep inclines with seemingly endless rows of wines, its gently undulating hills and winding
roads lined with tall poplar trees. Picturesque farms are tucked into the crests of hills; the
terraces of old stone houses offer a spectacular view of surrounding orchards and copses.
The “Südsteirische Weinland” encompasses a total vineyard area of 2,000 hectares. The steep
inclines of the vineyards, combined with diverse soil structures of sand, slate, marl and shell-
limestone provide favourable conditions for the crisp, fresh Welschriesling varietal wines to
ripen, along with vibrant Weißburgunder (Pinot blanc), complex Morillon (Chardonnay) and
aromatic Traminer and Gewürztraminer, as well as red wine varieties such as Zweigelt, Pinot
Noir and Blauer Wildbacher. The prized grape variety is, however, “steirische”, or Styrian
Sauvignon Blanc; a varietal that has received international acclaim and has earned its place
amongst the world’s best.
The grapes grow in the favourable Mediterranean climate zone, that offers both warm and
humid conditions, which coupled with a long growing season, and extended, warm and
sunshine-blessed autumn, allows the grapes slow, optimal ripeness. The diurnal effect of warm
days and cool nights promote the development of abundant aromatic characters, that give
Sauvignon Blanc its diversity and aromatic complexity.
4
2. The Winery and its History
Hannes Sabathi and his family are a typical winemaking family in the Südsteiermark. Their farm,
situated in Kranachberg, has been in the family since 1860. It was an agricultural farm that
cultivated a mixture of crops, and reared livestock, for some 100 years, when it was known as
the Adam farm. It was renamed Sabathi in 1968, following the wedlock of Hannes’s parents,
and his father took over the estate. From this generation onwards, viticulture became
increasingly more significant, and effective from 1999, the estate laid its focus entirely on
winemaking (with its Buschenschank).
3. The Winemaker
Hannes Sabathi was born in 1980. His passion for winemaking more or less began whilst he
was still in his cradle. Growing up with wine encouraged him to make more special wine from an
early age; to find out more about the opportunities to improve quality within the region. Hannes
received a comprehensive winemaking education from the Silberberg oenology college, which
he was able to apply during internships and work experience at leading wineries. In 1999, at the
tender age of nineteen, he was made responsible for winemaking in the family winery, and in
2003, he qualified as a vineyard and cellar master. At 25 years old, in 2005, his parents officially
passed the entire wine estate over to their son. The father left; the son came.
The Sabathi wines have undergone a major development since 1999. Traditionally, Hannes’s
father lay his focus on the production of land wine for local drinking, much of which was
consumed by guests at their Buschenschank. Wines were blended in order to produce a single,
consistent quality throughout the young wines. Contrary to his father, son Hannes wanted to
bring out the individual characteristics of each variety and vineyard, and accordingly, he started
to select and vinify grapes from vineyards separately.
This did not work as smoothly as he had hoped, “In the beginning, I was on my own”, explains
the winemaker, “I didn’t have a sparring partner in the cellar, and I obviously made loads of
mistakes. But looking back, I learnt a great deal from the experience.”
5
With hindsight, he has grouped this personal experience into three phases, these being: the
intuitive, the analytical, and the phase of experience; the latter is where Hannes Sabathi now
sees himself.
During his first few years, says Sabathi, he followed his intuition, and made decisions based on
his gut instinct. “I could rely on my intuition, and often got a lot of it right, amazingly enough, but
sometimes, I got it all wrong and had to pour the wine down the drain.”
Some time later, he reflected upon what he was doing, and began to analyse his wine
throughout all processes of production. “I wanted to make sure that I was getting everything
technically right, I wanted to know every single detail.”
Although he continues to use methods to analyse the wine, it is his feeling for the wine, his
intuition coupled with his experience, that plays a much more significant role in winemaking than
numbers alone.
As early as 1999, Sabathi was certain that if he wanted to produce a high quality wine,
everything needed to be right; good vineyards, optimal grape quality, meticulous work in the
cellar. This is when he changed every step throughout his winery, one by one. Firstly, he
focused on optimising his vineyards, with a reduction in the yield, correct canopy management
during the summer, as well as a rigorous sorting of the grapes prior to them reaching the cellar.
Then, gradually, all of the following winemaking processes and cellar equipment began to
comply with his new demands in quality.
Most recently, he has redesigned his wine labels. Both the print and artwork are a true
representation of what is important in winemaking for Sabathi.
Today, now that his wines have become amongst the most attractive in Austria, he dedicates
his full attention to the terroir. It is not uncommon to see the winemaker equipped with a bucket
and spade, digging up earth. He shovels up soil samples, and sometimes crawls along the
ground, in order to gain a better understanding of the soil, along with soil and variety interaction.
”The earth makes the wine “, states Sabathi, and adds, ”you could also say that it is the soil that
makes the wine interesting”.
6
Hannes Sabathi was a pioneer with his focus on vineyard site and terroir in the Südsteiermark.
Nowadays, his wines also contribute to the fact that Styrian Sauvignon Blanc has become
acknowledged within the international wine scene.
Sabathi wines can be found on wine lists in Germany and Switzerland, as well as Holland,
Belgium, the United States, Singapore, Japan and China. Sabathi remembers that “I thought it
would be difficult trying to export in the beginning, after all, who is waiting for a Sauvignon from
Styria, when Sauvignon Blanc is a variety that grows internationally? But I was wrong, because
it is exactly these styles of wines that are most sought after”.
It is no wonder then, that “Steirischer Sauvignon Blanc” is a style in its own right, and not to be
compared with regions from the same variety in the Loire, South Africa and New Zealand.
3 a. Time to Mature
Time is as important a factor in winemaking as the soil for Hannes Sabathi. He takes on a
pioneering role here as well. The majority of wines produced in Styria are regarded for their
youthful freshness, yet there is hardly another winemaker who allows their wines to mature as
long as Hannes Sabathi.
Therefore the Single-Vineyard wines are released at least one and a half years following the
harvest, with the Reserve wines being sold after two years following the harvest. The “Steirische
Klassik” range of wines are first sold in the spring following the harvest, after some six months
maturity.
Sabathi also sees a fascinating potential in their further development. It is highly likely that he
will keep future vintages back for longer, before they go on sale.
“I want to make wine that can be enjoyed after thirty years, and that signifies a style, a
philosophy.”
7
3 b. The Vision
Sabathi finds the general conformity of (Styrian) wines tedious. A wine is allowed to have rough
edges. On the other hand, it should not be a crowd pleasing style; it should aim to provoke and
challenge the consumer.
How does the future look for Weingut Sabathi? What goals is the winemaker striving to achieve,
now that he has arrived at the top of the quality ladder? “To continue to work on optimising the
soil and grape” says Sabathi, with both ambition and humility, “so that I can keep myself
occupied for the next 10 to 15 years”. And his long-term ambition? “Sometime, I would like to
make the best Sauvignon Blanc in the world”.
Hannes Sabathi also has a vision for the region, “we should learn how to become at one with
our locality, so that we can make wine that foremost represents the region”.
3c. STK
To make wine with inimitable character and to bring out the typicity of the terroir from top
vineyard sites – these goals have been pursued and met for many years by the oft-awarded
Styrian wineries of Gross, Lackner-Tinnacher, Neumeister, Erich & Walter Poltz, Sattlerhof,
Tement and Winkler -Hermaden. In 2008, these seven winemakers gave a new name to their
group: the “Steirische Terroir & Klassikweingüter” (STK or, in English, the Styrian Terroir &
Classic Wine Estates). This name was adopted in order to communicate in a sustainable way
the strengths of Styrian wines and the potential of their premium sites.
Since the beginning of 2013, Hannes Sabathi has been a part of this dedicated group. Says
Sabathi:
“Putting our unique terroir into the wine is my ultimate goal. This is expressed in my wines
mostly through their extreme minerality and straight-forward character. Together with the other
STK winemakers, I will work also to further the international reputation of Styrian wine.”
8
Joining the association at the same time as Erwin Sabathi were two other winemakers,
Wolfgang Maitz and Erwin Sabathi. This brought the group's membership to its present total of
ten. The wines of the STK group are marked by an imprint on the label or by a banderole.
4. The Wine Range
Hannes Sabathi is convinced that the quality and the authenticity of the wines are rooted in the
soil. That is why his top vineyard sites, Kranachberg, Jägerberg and Steinbach, are his greatest
asset. Every year, the challenge and the art are to find the ideal synthesis of soil character and
varietal typicity and to bring it into the bottle.
To do justice to each vintage and each variety in both vinification and maturation and, at the
same time, remain faithful to his personal style, Hannes Sabathi has classified his wines as
follows:
STK_wines
Refreshing wines that have been matured in steel and have a low alcohol content:
Welschriesling, Scheurebe, Rosé
Steirische Klassik STK
Fruity, refreshing wines from the Südsteiermark and exuding a terroir character:
Weißburgunder, Gelber Muskateller, Sauvignon Blanc.
Gamlitz
These are Hannes Sabathi´s “Dorfweine”, or village wines. Elegant, calm and with depth, they
reflect puristic typicity and the full potential of the region: Gelber Muskateller, Chardonnay,
Sauvignon Blanc.
Erste Lage STK
Each of the wines in this line are marked by an independent personality and clearly reflect the
terroir. The Grauburgunder from the Jägerberg fulfills all of the criteria for a sophisticated Erste
Lage wine.
9
Große Lage STK
Complex, profound, ageable and, at the same time, so elegant and refreshing. These are the
remarkable Grosse Lage wines. Hannes Sabathi fills his sensational Sauvignon Blanc from the
Kranachberg into these bottles.
5. The “Lagen” - Single-Vineyards Sites The origin of the Kranachberg and Jägerberg vineyards dates back 30 million years, when the
surrounding mountain range, the Styrian Randgebirge, (Koralpe, Gleinalpe, etc) were formed,
and numerous enclosed basins emerged. Over the millions of years, sediment and eroded
deposits from the ocean filled these basins. The ocean continued to flood great parts of Europe,
and then repeatedly retracted. Although the flooded waters were relatively shallow, at a depth of
thirty to fifty metres, shallow water sediments, such as sand and light chalk, were left behind in
these basins. Surface water (rivers) drew sediment from eroded debris from the surrounding
mountains into the basins, and today, it is easy to recognise the different layers of sediment
brought by the ocean and rivers, in the so-called “Kreuzbergschichten”. The Südsteiermark is
formed from one of these basins, and this is where our Kranachberg and Jägerberg single-
vineyards are located.
Each vineyard can tell its own highly detailed geological and mineral history. It is this character
that Hannes Sabathi wants to live on in his wines. “It means that I want to give the terroir scope,
and I want to intervene as little as possible. The allow the grapes to ripen for as long as
possible; even during the process of fermentation, I let nature take its course.” The wines
mature slowly and gently in large oak casks, particularly Morillon, Sauvignon Blanc,
Weißburgunder and Grauburgunder, in order to produce wines with specific regional identity.
5. a. Kranachberg and its Wine The basin-shaped Kranachberg single-vineyard faces south-southwest and lies at an altitude of
around 500 metres. The soils are well drained with sandy gravel, that give the wines a crisp
style with a salty mineral touch that is highly individual. Wines from this site always display a
vibrant, balanced structure. It is here that Sabathi has his cherished Sauvignon blanc, and every
10
year, he strives to find the ideal synthesis between the character of the soil and the varietal
typicity. Both terroir and varietal character should be evident in the wine.
• Sauvignon Blanc Kranachberg
The Sauvignon Blanc is in its element on Kranachberg, with the perfect soil structure with
mineral rich characters, along with lean and precise aromas of ripe, tropical fruit. On the palate,
the wine displays the typical Kranachberg character of saltiness, lean and precise with great
length.
5. b. Jägerberg and its Wine
The south-facing Jägerberg lies at an altitude of around 350 metres above sea level. It is an
ideal site for varieties from the Pinot family, with its sandy-loamy structure and chalk-rich soils.
This is where the Grauburgunder (Pinot gris), Morillon (Chardonnay) and Weißburgunder (Pinot
blanc) grow, and the wines display a warm, floral touch that develops with a lean structure and
tight, mineral rich body.
• Grauburgunder Jägerberg
Aromas of dried herbs, with precise Burgundy - like fruit on the palate. The fine soft texture,
spice and lean structure originates from the chalky-marl on the Jägerberg single-vineyard.
11
6. The Südsteiermark
Viticulture in the Südsteiermark has a long tradition. Findings suggest that the Celts had been
producing wine from wild vines as early as 2,500 years ago. The Romans encouraged the
systematic cultivation of grapevines, and during the Middle Ages, winemaking flourished, with
one source claiming there to be some 6,000 wineries, as well as written recording a thriving
trade between Vienna and Italy. Epidemic plagues and wars during the 16th and 17th Century
resulted in its decline. Vineyards were either grubbed up or converted into agricultural land.
The efforts of archduke Erzherzog Johann brought new prosperity to viticulture. He became the
great patron of agriculture, and he founded the “K.u.K. Landwirtschaftsgesellschaft für
Steiermark” (the Imperial Styrian agricultural body) in 1819. He established a model winery, that
experimented with no less than 425 different grape varieties. At the same time, he also
promoted research into grape varieties and vine diseases.
Phylloxera, that was brought to Europe in 1880, diminished a vast number of vineyards in
Styria, and let to a catastrophe, from which it took a long time to recover. Although a solution
had been discovered, this being the grafting of noble European varieties onto American
rootstocks, any new efforts were quickly destroyed during the First World War. After 1919,
around 90 percent of the original Styrian vineyard area was declared as being the new state of
Yugoslavia. The Südsteiermark wine region became a border region, that fought to survive.
Numerous winemakers converted their estates back to agriculture and livestock.
The Buschenschank decree from 1928 was regarded as a milestone for the remaining
winemakers. This opportunity for direct marketing provided producers with much needed
additional income, and formed the basis for the gradual recovery of the Südsteiermark as a
region for tourists. Even today, these typical Buschenschank wine taverns are a popular
destination for tourists and day-trippers.
The real beginning of the Südsteiermark as a leading wine-growing region came in the 1980s,
when the first pioneers lay their focus on an uncompromised quality in winemaking, and
accordingly achieved national and international success. Their role-model motivated other
producers to improve their quality and led to a optimistic spirit throughout the countryside, that is
12
still happening, and continues to enable others to benefit from the Südsteiermark as one of the
most distinguished and dynamic wine-growing regions in Austria.
13
7. Useful Figures
20 hectares under vine / 100,000 bottles
The most important vineyards:
12.5 hectares - located on Kranachberg
3.5 hectares - located on Jägerberg
4 hectares - located on Pössnitzberg (awaiting first vintage)
Range of Varieties: 40 percent Sauvignon Blanc (variety gaining in significance),
Welschriesling, Gelber Muskateller (Yellow Muscat), Morillon (Chardonnay) and Pinot family of
grape varieties.
Most significant Export markets: Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Great Britain,
Belgium, United States, Singapore.
14
8. Awards and Accolades www.jancisrobinson.com, June 2012
Tasting Notes, Jancis Robinson
Hannes Sabathi, Kranachberg Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Südsteiermark
A kerpow Sauvignon! This has SO much ripe fruit. No excess sweetness even though the fruit is very ripe.
Blossomy. Great mouthful of bitter sweet fruit – something tropical. Passion fruit flavours. But opulently
fruity (without being sickly) and an admirably silky texture. Very long.
www.simonwoods.com, June 2012
Tasting Notes, Simon Woods
Hannes Sabathi, Scheurebe Klassik 2010
Flinty Sauvignon-like character, grapefruit and lemon coming through strongly, but there’s a real sense of
the soil, lovely fresh, summer seafood wine, dry and bracing, light in alcohol but full in flavour. ( S- )
www.simonwoods.com, February 2012
Tasting Notes, Simon Woods
Hannes Sabathi, Sauvignon Blanc Klassik 2010
Lively youngster, quite ripe and full flavoured with pithy citrus, elderflower and (tinned) pear characters,
plus something a little more exotic like pineapple. Fresh, immediate and tasty. ( S- )
Hannes Sabathi Sauvignon Blanc Kranachberg 2009
A year older, but more backward, but opens up to show a rich, spicy side, with the fruit playing second
fiddle to the tight pithy mineral and earthy clay notes. Tasty and promising. ( S )
Falstaff Wine Guide 2012 Hannes Sabathi is today numbered among the exceptional winegrowers of Southern Styria. With his
authentic, characterful and close-to-earth wines, he enjoys the admiration off ans from all over the world.
92 Points Sauvignon Blanc Kranachberg 2010
92 Points Grauburgunder Jägerberg 2010
91 Points Sauvignon Blanc Klassik 2011
15
Krone Bunt, June 2012 Super(Markt)Wein, Karin Schnegdar
Sabathi strives to make wines that are immediately identifiable with his region, Southern Styria – ‘they
should be able to represent the region…’- For this reason he created the Gamlitz series; the 2011 Gelber
Muskateller is a wonderful representative of the grape variety – redolent of lychee and peach, with acids
already nicely integrated.
Delicious Magazine (The Netherlands) June 2012 Ellen Dekkers
Hannes Sabathi is a young and passionate winegrower form Styria, who is not afraid to go against the
grain. He makes white wines with pizzazz, and he vinifies, among other whites, three different Sauvignon
Blancs. His Sauvignon Blanc Kranachberg is particularly delicious; with its subtle oak highlights and
finished dry, the wine shows delicate notes of mandarin orange, honey and sweet spices. All of
Hannes´white wines, form the nutty Morillon to the summer-scented Welschriesling, have a velvety texture.
The modern lables, the original website – not to mention Hannes himself – all are simply typical Sabathi. If
you should ever find yourself in the vicinity of Graz, you must make the trip down to Gamlitz, and sample
these magnificent white wines.
www.christiancallec.com, Januar 2012 “Hannes Sabathi Weingut: Styrian Terroir & Burgundian Passion“, Christian Callec
Hannes Sabathi is THE expert on the soil of Styria; it is a topic that interests him deeply and personally.
His wines are very authentic, with a strong expression of the soil.
Hannes Sabathi’s Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2007: A wine of the “reserve“ category, made only in top
years from the best grapes out of the Kranachberg. It promised quite a lot! The potential was indeed very
great, but to be fully honest, the results far exceeded the expectations.
Krone Bunt, September 2011 Super(Markt)Wein, Karin Schnegdar
The Gelber Muskateller 2010 from Hannes Sabathi in Gamlitz is a wonderfully suited to the role of aperitif
wine, but it´s also ideal for fried chicken and smoked meats. In the nose, the Muskateller shows refreshing
herbal aromas, followed by bracing and lively acidity on the palate.
16
Wiener Journal (Wiener Zeitung), September 2011 ‘Good prospects on the Kranachberg`, Johann Werfring
In the last decade, new pioneers have emerged here in Austria; folks who want to go one step further and
create innovative wines, which qualify not only an ‘good’ or ‘very good’, but ‘sophisticated’ as well. Hannes
Sabathi from Gamlitz in Southern Styria is most certainly numbered among these new-breed producers of
sophisticated wine. But Sabathi is in no sense a radical. In acknowledgment of the region’s historical
achievements, he vinifies his classical bottlings consistently of the conventional Styrian manner, in
stainless steel tank with an emphasis on freshness and primary fruit. For the single-vineyard wines, a
careful fermentation in large wooden casks – partially with indigenous yeast – is the order of the day. Here
the winemaker is able to bring the typicity of the region most clearly and authentically into the bottle. The
2009 Sauvignon Blanc Kranachberg, as inviting as it is elegant, shows many different layers: sugar-snap-
peas in the nose along with white asparagus and plenty of herbal spices, followed by a long finish laced
with mineral-salts. The 2008 Kranachberg Morillon, with its splendid aromaticity – exotic nuances and
blossom-honey highlights, seems rather youthful, and shows a terrific balance in tis hearty and juicy
fashion; we can certainly address it as a ‘natural’ wine, and the price/quality ratio is fantastic.
Die Presse – Schaufenster, August 2011 ‘A Revolution in the Cellar’, Gerhard Hofer
The pear tree in the courtyard has got to be the loveliest pear tree in the world. ‘It’s real old’, says Hans
Sabathi. Even though the snowplough took a good whack at it last winter, he continues, ‘it simply can’t be
killed…’ In this moment, Hans Sabathi is all winegrower. And what is good is not nearly enough. Coupled
with resilience and the tendency to go against the grain, it is now becoming something special. Five years
ago, Hannes took over the estate. The only son, the youngest of four children. ‘I was, let’s say, the last
hope that this estate would remain in production,’ he remarks and smiles. A little later his mother stows the
picnic basket in the boot of the car and drives off into the vineyard. Her son cast a glance at the car and
says, ‘My parents have been married now for 45 years, and have spent every day together on this estate.’
In this moment, Sabathi is once more all winegrower. This means that he doesn’t need to trouble himself
with concepts like tradition, responsibility and family – those things are all understood as part of the
picture. And he´s everything other than a so-called cult-winemaker. By disposition he is probably the exact
opposite, totally un-cultish. Despite this, though, there is a perceptible bit of mystique developing; still in
the early stages perhaps, but something’s happening. The seeds have been sown, up there on the
Kranachberg.
17
www.wiener-online.at, August 2011 „The Gamlitzer Antithesis“, Roland Graf
Hannes Sabathi’s Weißburgunder Klassik brings those things, with it that a good summer wine ought to
have: aromaticity – in this case the scents of kiwi fruit and pears – firm acidity, and comparatively little
alcohol (11,5%) The green-apple notes on the palate and the easy drinkability round out this ‘little’ Styrian
wine. Sabathi disproves in lively fashion the thesis that there are no wines left (all too heavy now, too
intense, too much alcohol) which still offer the simple pleasure of being able to drink the entire bottle at
lunchtime.
GENUSS.wein.pur, Juli 2011 „Frisch & Fruchtbetont“ (Fresh & Fruity), Alexander Magrutsch
Melon, plum jam; juicy, delicate, then burbling, unagitated style, no rough edges, lean with green notes,
quite like Riesling, clear, cool notes, great drinkability.
2 Glasses (von 3) Sauvignon Blanc Klassik 2010
Handelsblatt, April 2011 Falkensteins Weinmacher, Pit Falkenstein
About Hannes Sabathi’s Gelber Muskteller 2010: It is an elegant but distinctive libation, with wonderful
aromas and a lovely lightness. Nose and palate both are richly filled-out with spices like nutmeg,
cardamom and caraway, all planted firmly in a fleshy background of vineyard peach.
Falstaff Wine Guide 2011 Recently, a lot more people have started to talk about Hannes Sabathi. His authentic, earth conscious
wines, that may well have rough edges, express much more character. […] The wines display high
ripeness as well as precision. They are compact, rich in mineral character and vibrant – this is exactly
Hannes Sabathi’s taste.
93 Points Sauvignon Blanc Kranachberg 2009
91 Points Morillon Kranachberg 2008
90 Points Sauvignon Blanc Klassik 2010
18
Vinaria Weinguide 2011/12 2 Stars Weingut Hannes Sabathi
(Hans Pleininger)
[...] Sabathi looks remarkably young, and he is young, yet his already has the experience of ten vintages
behind him. Accordingly, he proves to have a confident hand in his current range of wines. [...]
The Editor’s recommends:
2009 Grauburgunder Jägerberg
2009 Sauvignon Blanc Kranachberg
Der Feinschmecker September 2010, Germany
Der steile Aufstieg der steirischen Jugend (The upsurge of the Styrian youth - Dieter Braatz)
[…] Hannes Sabathi brings out exceptional wines from the steep incline of his Kranachberg vineyard, with
its sandy, gravelly soil, He gives the wine time to mature in peace. […] The 2008 vintage of Sauvignon
Kranachberg is enticing and juicy with rich cassis aromas, and it is right at the beginning of its potential.
[…]
Presse Schaufenster August 2010
Danke, der Urlaub war nass (Thanks, the holiday was wet - Gerhard Hofer)
[…] Hannes Sabathi is a good winemaker and his Sauvignon Blanc Kranachberg 2008 is very good
indeed. It is one of the best Austrian Sauvignons that I have tasted recently. The wine is restrained, yet
with elegant aromas. This is very important with Sauvignon Blanc. On the palate however it is beautifully
rich and full-bodied. […]
ÖGZ Österreichs beste Weißweine 2010 3 Glass Awards 2009 Sauvignon Blanc Klassik
2 Glass Awards 2007 Grauburgunder Jägerberg
19
Gault Millau Wein Guide 2010 Hannes Sabathi’s wines are distinguished by the prime Kranachberg single vineyard, with its lime-free,
gravel soils. The young, dedicated and particularly “natural” well known winemaker does not just want to
make wines with unique freshness and fruit character, he also wants his wines to be distinguished by the
micro-climatic differences and the changing geological conditions in the best Styrian single-vineyards. […]
18 Points 2008 Sauvignon Blanc Kranachberg
18 Points 2007 Weißburgunder Kranachberg Reserve
17.5 Points 2007 Sauvignon Blanc Reserve
16 Points 2008 Gelber Muskateller Klassik
16 Points 2008 Sauvignon Blanc Klassik
Vinaria Weinguide 2010 / 2011 2 Stars Weingut Hannes Sabathi
(Hans Pleininger)
[…] The young southern Styrian winemaker brings out the very best of his homeland, the Kranachberg
vineyard. He also seems to know with the neighbouring Jägerberg vineyard, particularly with his Pinot
varieties. […]
The Editor’s recommends:
2008 Morillon Kranachberg
2007 Sauvignon Blanc Reserve
Falstaff Wine Guide 2009 / 2010 92 Points 2008 Sauvignon Blanc Kranachberg
90 Points 2008 Grauburgunder Jägerberg
90 Points 2008 Gelber Muskateller Klassik
20
Weinwisser Juli 2009, Schweiz
Wein des Monats (Wine of the Month - Stephan Reinhardt)
[…] If perhaps only distantly, Hannes Sabathi’s Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2006 does remind me of
Bordeaux, even though it is a true wine from Südsteirmark, even more so as a wine from the noble
Kranachberg. Yet the wine is more delicate and complex, perhaps more serious and sophisticated than
many competitors. It displays aromas of citrus fruit and gooseberry, yet also has notes of lime blossom,
spices and toast. On the palate it has delicately creamy texture, with fruit character for easy drinking, and
the 18 month maturation in small oak barrels on the fine lees shows depth, firmness and length. These
powerful wines wine me over in the particularly warm vintages of 2003 and 2006, as they display more
spice than fruit, due to their mineral character from fine, lime-free gravel soils. 17/20
Vinaria Weinguide 2009 / 2010 2 Stars 2008 Sauvignon Blanc Kranachberg
2 Stars 2007 Sauvignon Blanc Reserve
Die Weltwoche 16 July 2009, Switzerland
Ein junger Wilder (a young wild one - Peter Rüedi)
Peter Rüedi on the Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2006: “The Reserve 2006, which matures for more than two
years in small oak barrels, is the ultimate in elegance in the upward scale of Sauvignon; multi-layered and
with complexity, and offers a true contradiction to those wines with intrusively perfumed bouquets, of such
wines grown on over-indulgent soils and vinified with indifference. Sabathi has produced one of the best
Sauvignons that I have ever tasted.”
Gault Millau Wine Guide 2009 19 Points 2006 Sauvignon Blanc Reserve
18.5 Points 2007 Grauburgunder Jägerberg
18 Points 2006 Morillon Reserve
17.5 Points 2007 Sauvignon Blanc Kranachberg
17 Points 2007 Morillon Kranachberg
21
www.wineanorak.com Jamie Goode’s wine blog
Wild Honey with Hannes Sabathi
I met with young Austrian winemaker Hannes Sabathi (pictured) today for lunch at Wild Honey. […]
So, how were Hannes' wines? Not yet 28, and running the family winery, he seems to be doing a brilliant
job. The winery is in Südsteiermark (Southern Styria), which specializes in Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris,
Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay and Muskateller. The Klassik wines are precise and fresh, while the Single
Vineyard wines have real personality and depth, allied to a minerally precision. There's also a reserve line,
and the two Sauvignon Reserves I tried, 2003 and 2006, are among the best expressions of this grape I've
yet to experience.
Wein spricht Deutsch, Stuart Pigott, 2007 Hannes Sabathi is a wild young winemaker, who is not afraid of going his own way. […] The wines from
Hannes Sabathi are nothing like your average Styrian wine. They are daring, sure of themselves (this is
not meant in a negative sense) and are full of elegance and balance. His bone-dry Klassik range of wines
are also fine.
Vinum, Steiermark Extra, May 2006 “Die Jungen Wilden” (The wild young ones - Rudi Knoll)
Young winemakers are making sure that prosperity in the Steiermark continues. Their common factor is a
respectable education at the Silberberg oenology college, as well as their ambition to show what they can
do […] Sabathi II. whose first name is Hannes, and turn 26 years old just a few days ago.
[…] Hi aim is to unite “origin, soil and traditional values into the glass”. […] Hannes Sabathi also has
young wines in his range that are enchanting, such as the 2005 Sauvignon Blanc from the Kranachberg
single-vineyard, that already shows great potential in its youth. The best wine on form is currently his
brilliant Musktateller Klassik 2004, that almost tickles you in the nose, and is highly elegant on the tongue.
[…]
9. Contact Weingut Hannes Sabathi
Kranachberg 51
8362 Gamlitz
AUSTRIA
Tel.: +43 3453 29 00
Fax: +43 3453 29 00 29
www.sabathi-weine.at Press Enquiries:
Wine&Partners
Peter-Jordan-Straße 6/3
1190 Vienna,
AUSTRIA
T: +43 1 369 79 90 0
F: +43 1 369 79 90 9
www.wine-partners.at
