SIGNUM BLANC currently presents 5 wines:
- Sauvignon Blanc "Turmalin" 2018
- Morillon (Chardonnay) "Turmalin" 2018
- Grauburgunder (Pinot gris) "Turmalin" 2018
- Weißburgunder (Pinot Blanc) "Turmalin" 2017 and 2018
SAUVIGNON BLANC “TURMALIN”
2018
Maître Sommelier Gerhard Retter describes this wine:
The Sauvignon Blanc convinces with balance and finesse. The nose displays delicate notes of elderflower, gooseberry, apple and white currant. A very clear, fresh, vibrant and, at the same time, ripe wine. Very balanced, with a fine acidity and an extremely complex structure. A hint of roughness and coolness reminiscent of mint and fennel paired with an almost peppery spice. You literally have its terroir in your nose. Very round and polished on the palate – a complete work of art.
MORILLON “TURMALIN”
2018
Maître Sommelier Gerhard Retter describes this wine:
A very young wine with a wonderful acidity and tannin structure. The nose displays subtle aromas of acacia, chamomile, ripe yellow-fruity aromas like pear, apple, quince but also a hint of fresh mint and fennel. There are also natural notes of wood ageing such as biscuit or brioche. You cannot deny the wine a certain sexiness. Punchy and powerful, this drop can be said to have a rubens-like stature with tremendous length and a tremendous juiciness.
The Morillon has a beautiful depth of colour, it is almost golden yellow and shows strong wine tears or ‘church windows’ as they say to the streaks on the glass. It is very clear and clean and relatively aromatic in intensity, but strong and dry. A clear medium plus. In the expression, you can recognize primary aromas, but also first secondary aromas. For example a clear wood embossing. The overall impression in quality is: young, but very good to excellent.
It is a very young wine with very good acidity and tannin structure, medium plus. So you have a little ‘something’ to sink your teeth in. It is a powerful wine with a relatively high alcohol content, a full, powerful body and a strong, full-bodied flavour with a powerful, complex finish. The taste imprint is primarily fruity but you can already feel the maturity due to the yeast and the wood notes in the imprint.
The nose: acacia, chamomile, ripe yellow apple, juicy pear, ripe quince, citrus notes, some mango, melon and pineapple, , plus a scent of mint and fennel. The wine has less flinty notes like the Sauvignon, and is more akin to cool, wet creek pebbles. There are, of of course, notes that come from the wood storage. Almost like sponge cake, toast or brioche, or sourdough flavours. The nose also displays a delicate hint of vanilla, very fine and subtle, like a light kiss. Then there is also clove, nutmeg and cedar, all the smoky aromas that come from toasting the wine in wooden barrels.
You can’t deny the Morillon a certain sexiness, as it has a subtle spiciness that is almost reminiscent of candied ginger, however, still punchy and powerful. A wine that can be said to have a rubens-like stature, a little expansive, with curves, a little chubby. There is also enormous length and a tremendous juiciness.
My drinking tip:
This 2018 vintage definitely needs to age some more, , otherwise you’ll need to decant it for two to three hours. I would suggest to serve it in a Burgundy glass. The Morillon is a very good wine, with a high alcohol content and strong wood aromas. Sexy! As glass form I would advise also here “to a Burgundy glass. It’s a very good wine, with a bit of alcohol and strong wood flavors. Sexy, that is!”
GRAUBURGUNDER (PINOT GRIS) “TURMALIN”
2018
Maître Sommelier Gerhard Retter describes this wine:
The Pinot Gris initially shows a reserved nose, but a little air and time will bring out the yellow-fruity aromas of ripe apple, quince and peach with some smokiness. Good incisive acidity, tautness and freshness distinguish this wine. There are also delicate hints of brioche, coconut and a touch of vanilla. Punchy, tightly woven and precise with wonderful balance and a long finish.
“Visually alone, the Pinot Gris is a real gem. It has a beautiful golden-yellow colour and is quite clear, clean and pure in tone. At the beginning, it still has a relatively discreet nose and delicate, fine aromas. Youthful, yet fully mature. The Pinot Gris is dry, has a good structure, a complex body, medium acidity, no tannin and has a relatively high alcohol content. It is a complex, very aromatic wine, very punchy on the palate with a long finish.
The wine shows a refined interplay of aromas. You can taste ripe apple, a trace of quince and a scent of peach. And the longer the wine breathes, the more its fine yellow-fruity aromas develop. In addition, there is a certain interesting smokiness and a very small hint of nutty aromas.
Clean and polished
The Pinot Gris really hit the mark. It is fine, polished and displays a relatively good concise acidity and a wonderful freshness. You can taste its origin, its terroir, the stony soil with its spicy quartz aromas. There’s also a hint of sponge cake, toast and brioche, a little coconut, almond and a hint of vanilla. The Pinot Gris is very powerful on the palate, but still very tight, precise and perfectly balanced. It is a very fine Pinot Gris with a balanced and complex wood note, a truly delicious wine with an extremely long finish that flatters the palate. You can recognize not only its beautifully stony terroir, but also quite clearly the handwriting of its winemaker, as with the Sauvignons or the Morillons.
Multifaceted and rich in stones.
When the Pinot Gris is kissed by the air, it develops even more facets. The yellow fruity aromas of pear and apple slowly come to the fore and the wine develops a very delicate, slightly salty, caramel note. It wins with every breath. It is a very good wine, a first-class Pinot Gris. Really cool. Just wow!
My food tip for the Pinot Gris:
What goes well with Pinot Gris are roasted poultry such as guinea fowl or pheasant, roasted veal and also roasted or baked sweetbreads. Liver pates and terrines with nuts and pistachios are also a wonderful food accompaniment. Or a hearty pasta with salsicia. Sterz ( styrian polenta ) made from corn or buckwheat is also a great combination. If you like fish, combine the wine with baked carp. For vegetarians, cauliflower à la polonaise (Polish style), spicy mature hard cheese or mushroom dishes such as morel à la creme and baked porcini mushrooms are good choices. An interplay with a lot of pleasure!
“
WEISSBURGUNDER (PINOT BLANC) TURMALIN
2017
Maître Sommelier Gerhard Retter describes this wine:
A cool and very precise wine with an elegant and straightforward style. Dry, with a nice freshness and fine, elegant aromas of nashi pear, hawthorn, mirabelle plums, oranges and a hint of nuttiness. A certain steeliness on the palate and slight saltiness on the finish. This Pinot Blanc is carried by an elegance and balance that distinguishes it through its complexity. A multi-faceted wine and congenial food companion that is a joy to drink.
“First impression: a light scent of fresh yeast, with a hint of fennel. The 2017 Pinot Blanc is cooler and more precise than the 2018 Pinot Blanc. It has a very elegant, straightforward style. It is very clear, tightly woven and pure in tone. Dry, with a nice freshness. It impresses with fine, elegant fruit notes of Japanese nashi pear, hawthorn, mirabelle plum and oranges, which become more intense the more air reaches the wine. There is also a slight hint of nutty notes. You can taste its terroir, the light pebble aromas. The wine has almost something steely and shows a slight saltiness on the finish. All of this is carried by the elegance and balance that distinguishes the Pinot Blanc, in addition to its complex expression. A very finesse-rich wine and brilliant food companion that gives a lot of pleasure. Simply great craftsmanship. A very good wine, I take my hat off to that. Chapeau!
My food tip for the Pinot Blanc:
A great complement to Pinot Blanc are vegetables such as stuffed kohlrabi or colourful carrots with passion fruit, melon with ham, risotto of asparagus and all light asparagus dishes. Also nice with this are poultry, sushi, fresh feta or goat cheese and crisp salads such as Caesar Salad. For fish lovers, steamed fish such as halibut, sole, cod or poached trout go well with this white wine. And of course all kinds of crustaceans like lobster and scallops. A perfect taste experience!”
WEISSBURGUNDER (PINOT BLANC) TURMALIN
2018
Maître Sommelier Gerhard Retter describes this wine:
“The Pinot Blanc 2018 shows a clear and elegant nose with slightly smoky flinty hints. Perfectly balanced and underpinned with yellow-fruity aromas reminiscent of pear, hawthorn blossom and some citrus. On t the palate the Pinot Blanc presents a creamy smoothness with a simultaneously vibrant cool freshness. A finely fruity, dry Pinot Blanc with a balanced character.
The first nose shows how clear, fine, polished and elegant this Pinot Blanc 2018 is. In addition, there are slightly smoky, flinty hints. It is very fine, very delicate and perfectly balanced, with yellow fruity aromas reminiscent of pear and hawthorn blossom. The wine melts beautifully creamy on the palate and at the same time exhibits a vibrant, cool freshness. It is a perfect composition from the first nose to the finish. Very animating and drinkable in the best sense of the word. Fine fruity, dry, pointed, this Pinot Blanc is an absolute hit. Light-hearted, but with standard. The more air the wine gets, the more its almond aroma develops together with the scent of white flowers, of citrus and pear. At the same time the wine remains absolutely stringent and stable. The Pinot Blanc 2018 is a really strong and complex wine and great food companion. And it’s a drop that should get even better over the next five years and can certainly be stored for ten. Simply brilliant!
My food tip for the Pinot Blanc:
A great complement to Pinot Blanc are vegetables such as stuffed kohlrabi or colourful carrots with passion fruit, melon with ham, risotto of asparagus and all light asparagus dishes. Also nice with this are poultry, sushi, fresh feta or goat cheese and crisp salads such as Caesar Salad. For fish lovers, steamed fish such as halibut, sole, cod or poached trout go well with this white wine. And of course all kinds of crustaceans like lobster and scallops. A perfect taste experience!”
Enjoy SIGNUM BLANC wines
Chilling the bottle
24 h in advance
Open and give air
Carafe or bottle
Correct choice of glass
Burgundy glass
Drinking temperature
Pinot Blanc & Morillon: 10-12 degrees
Pinot gris & Sauvignon blanc: 12-14 degrees
Re-tasting
one to several days later
Work in the vineyard and cellar
Special wines grow in special locations.
SIGNUM BLANC wines grow exclusively on the steep slopes on the south side of the Kreuzberg in Leutschach. The vineyards have been cultivated for decades by Thomas and Toni Rothschädl – as nature intended and without the use of copper.
The steep slopes are spoiled by the sun. The angle of sunlight is particularly favourable here, creating the best conditions for wonderful grapes. An experienced harvesting team hand-picks only ripe and healthy grapes in successive attempts. Immediately after the harvest, the grapes from the respective harvest batches are gently pressed and fermented separately in steel tanks and wooden barrels.
From this, Thomas and Toni Rothschädl develop their wine with a lot of love, sensitivity and consideration for sustainability, which reflects the ingenious terroir in the glass: The tourmaline-rich rocky soil and the precious old vines that have enjoyed the Mediterranean-Illyrian climate for months.
“I follow the wine with feeling, patience and time.”
Thomas Rothschädl, winemaker
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