Lackner Tinnacher Morillon Südsteiermark DAC Ried Eckberg 2021

Katharina Tinnacher and her family cultivate 27 hectares of vines on the steep slopes of a chain of hills in Steinbach, near Gamlitz in Austria’s Südsteiermark. The vineyards are farmed organically, nestled in a protected microclimate amidst forests, orchards, and meadows, and continue a long historical tradition of grape growing in the area (in fact, four of the Lackner-Tinnacher estate’s vineyards were detailed in the 1778 Josephine land register). The Ried Eckberg limestone marl soils provide ideal conditions for Burgundian varieties such as chardonnay (known here as morillon) to thrive, and this cuvée is a shining example. Hand harvested from 35 year old vines, and spontaneously fermented, it is then matured in stainless steel tanks and large wooden barrels for 8 months prior to bottling. Incredibly complex, this unveils layers of apple and pear fruit alongside herbal green tea notes and a savory nuttiness. The palate is fresh, juicy, and mouth filling, with hints of stonefruit, spice, and a defined minerality and cut evocative of Chablis (but happily minus the Chablis pricetag!) Organically grown, sustainably grown, low-intervention/natural wine.