"Armin Tement ... has made Weingut Tement Austria’s number one wine producer... I don’t see anybody else producing wine on this level in Austria...” -Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate

Tement Sauvignon Blanc Kalk & Kreide 2020
 

• Buy a Case - $19.99
• Buy Six - $21.99
• All Else Sale $23.99

92 pts Falstaff / 92 pts James Suckling

That's some high praise! And high ratings! Manfred, Armin's father, established Weingut Tement as one of Austria's premier producers in the 90s, with a respected German magazine recognizing Tement as making the world's best Sauvignon Blanc! Armin took over in 2005 and has pushed the envelope even higher.

So how come they are relatively new to us? Well, for starters, the demand for the winery is intense, and there just hasn't been much to go around. Even their entry-level wine offered here is allocated. And Tement is located in South Styria, Austria's smallest wine region. Unlike its more famed countrymen, Styria is most widely planted with Sauvignon Blanc and Morillon, aka Chardonnay. This is possible because of their southern location along the border with Slovenia. (Like 500 feet from the border!)

The climate is a unique convergence of Mediterranean and Continental climate types. Days can be warm and humid (Mediterranean), yet the nights are considerably cooler (Continental). These cold nights slow ripening and help with the retention of acidity, critical for the development of complex Sauvignon Blanc grapes. For Sauvignon Blanc lovers, this unique confluence of climate, geography and history makes for a unique expression that calls to mind hints of New Zealand, Sancerre and South African wines. There's a comfortable sense of familiarity, all while being unique in its own right.

“Light yellow-green, silver reflections. Tender meadow herbs, white pear-like fruit, a hint of gooseberries, fine cassis, mineral notes. A fine touch of yellow apple, fresh acidity, mineral-lemony in the finish, offers light-footed drinking pleasure.” Falstaff

“Although this is a bit shy at first, it blossoms with aeration, a wide spectrum of citrus aromas emerging, plus some quince and wild herbs. Complex texture on the medium-to full-bodied palate, the chalky acidity beautifully integrated at the long finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold. Glass closure.” James Suckling

“Sourced from 55 parcels on limestone soils, the 2019 Sauvignon Blanc Kalk & Kreide is a medium-bodied, linear and elegant white with stunning complexity at this price point. One of the commercially most important wines of the domain is precise, pure and fresh on the wonderfully reductive nose that reveals stony notes with lemon juice aromas. Filigreed and salty-piquant on the palate, this is a lean yet tight and tensioned, multilayered Sauvignon with stimulating grip. Excellent.” Wine Advocate on the 2019


Or reply. The wine is available now in Chapel Hill. Friday, as ordered, in Hillsborough.