Trends of the new tasting season: Weingut Erwin Sabathi impresses the critics of Falstaff Wine Guide
Weingut Erwin Sabathi is located in Leutschach an der Weinstraße, one of Austria’s hottest Wine Route spots. The winery, supported by Wines of Austria, is the WTA 2023 nominee in the Visiting Card of the Country / Must Visit category. Weingut Erwin Sabathi is famous for its warm hospitality — and for its amazing white wines.
The Sabathi Family has been engaged in viticulture since 1650. despite several ages of winemaking traditions, the great upswing for Weingut Sbathi began in 1992, when Erwin Sabathi Jr. joined his parents’ business. Today the family winery is run by Erwin and his wife Patrizia. The winery is an organically-certified operation. Patrizia and Erwin Sabathi’s viticultural philosophy is based on the work of nature. All grapes are handpicked at Sabathi vineyards: they are located at extremely steep slopes, therefore only traditional manual harvesting is possible. However, another and much more important argument for the winemaking couple is the quality: for this matter, they deliberately practice manual harvesting.
Weingut Erwin Sabathi’s 54 hectares of vineyards are cultivated organically. Their most important grape varieties are Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. These wines are widely known and internationally renowned. Erwin Sabathi Sauvignon Blancs and Chardonnays from the Ried Pössnitzberg (Große STK Ried) are duly enjoying the top ratings along with the finest wines of the world. Such wines as Sauvignon Blanc Ried Pössnitzberg Alte Reben and Chardonnay Ried Pössnitzberg Alte Reben are considered to be absolute rarities, created from meticulously selected grapes which come from the oldest vines on the Pössnitzberg. Chardonnay Ried Pössnitzberger Kapelle and Sauvignon Blanc Ried Pössnitzberger Kapelle are equally impressive, famous world-class wines with an outstanding ageing potential. In 2016, Falstaff voted for Erwin Sabathi as the “Winemaker of the Year”, first and foremost for his excellent work with the Chardonnay grape variety.
In the most recent tasting by Falstaff Wine Guide Austria, focusing on vintages 2020 and up, a significant range of wines by Weingut Erwin Sabathi wines have been rated highly. Below are the tasting notes for three top-scoring whites provided by Peter Moser, Flastaff‘s leading expert and wine critic.
2022 Erwin Sabathi Gelber Muskateller Südsteiermark DAC Ried Krepskogel 1STK (94 points)
Category: white wine.
Grape Variety: Gelber Muskateller.
Ageing: 12 months in a large wooden barrel.
Tasting from 10.07.2023: Peter Moser.
Colour: light yellow-green with silver tints. Nose: floral nuances, ripe yellow tropical fruits, a hint on fresh herbs, orange blossom, a rich and appealing bouquet. Palate: full-bodied, finely meshed. Finish: lengthy, mineral, with fine fruitiness. Good ageing potential.
2022 Erwin Sabathi Sauvignon Blanc Südsteiermark DAC Ried Poharnig 1STK (94 points)
Category: white wine.
Grape Variety: Sauvignon Blanc.
Ageing: 12 months in a large wooden barrel.
Tasting from 10.07.2023: Peter Moser.
Colour: medium yellow-green, with silver tints. Nose: fine nuances of yellow stone fruit, a touch of tangerines, delicate honey blossom, appealing bouquet. Palate: complex, juicy, fine white fruit, fine acid structure that is well integrated, delicate fruity sweetness on the finish, which is also mineral and lengthy, with the nuances of lime on the back palate. General impression: self-sufficient yet complimentary to fine cuisine.
2022 Chardonnay‘ Südsteiermark DAC Leutschach (93 points)
Category: white wine.
Grape Variety: Chardonnay.
Ageing: 12 months in a large wooden barrel.
Tasting from 10.07.2023: Peter Moser.
Colour: light golden yellow, with silver tints. Nose: ripe yellow tropical fruit, smoky herbal savouriness, and candied orange zest. Palate: juicy, elegant, nice sweet fruitiness, well-integrated acidity with a touch of blossom honey. It is already good to drink.
WTA recommends paying a visit to Weingut Sabathi — why not this autumn, after harvesting? Tasting fine old wines as well as the best samples of recent vintages in a modern building of this historical winery, definitely one of the best and most outstanding ones in Styria — it‘s a treat not to be missed.