Here’s the full tasting note for...

Sax, Riesling, Ried Steinmassl, Kamptal Reserve, 2021

A steep, stony vineyard on gneiss and mica schist. Very open perfume of lime zest, floral notes and saffron. Lime juice and stone fruit, plenty of fresh bite; persistent and exciting. Now-2024

Michael's choice of what to drink at home: "One of my favourite ever holidays was a summer trip to the Austrian Alps. This cool, elegant and aromatic Riesling crackling with lime zestiness takes me back to that wonderful week. After a long day hiking in the mountains nothing slaked my thirst like a glass of dry Austrian Riesling, usually partnered with a schnitzel the size of a small dog".

The Sax estate may have roots going back to 1660, but it’s now a smart and modern operation, albeit shoehorned into the typical Austrian footprint of a long, thin site just off the main square in Langenlois in the heart of the Kamptal wine region. Identical twin brothers Michael and Rudolf Sax began to assume control of their family estate and winery in 2008 at the age of 18. Hugely energetic and charming, they are making their mark within Austria.

The family own about 30 hectares of vineyards (and farm a further 30) in the Kamptal, just north-west of Vienna, a historic wine-producing region highly regarded for Grüner Veltliner, Austria’s signature white grape. The climate here is perfect for growing aromatic grapes, with hot sunny days leavened by nights cooled by breezes from the Waldviertel to the northwest.. The twins make a wide range, from which we have selected several, all from different vineyards (= Ried). All are made in stainless steel and bottled under screwcap to exhibit freshness; and we know from tasting older vintages how well they keep.