Sanctissimus Weissburgunder Riserva DOC - Kellerei St. Pauls

A luminous straw yellow with delicate golden reflections fills the glass. This first impression already reveals the dense character of the Sanctissimus Weissburgunder Riserva DOC - Kellerei St. Pauls. The light refracts in the clear robe and signals tension and maturity. The tears run slowly down the glass, indicating extract and power.

On the nose, a multi-layered bouquet unfolds. Ripe mango appears first, dense and exotic. Behind it emerges juicy yellow apple, more like baked apple with fine spice. An elegant almond note drapes itself like a delicate veil over the bouquet. Added to this are hints of ripe pear, a touch of white blossoms and a cool, chalky minerality from the steep slope.

With a little air, the aromatic spectrum broadens. Delicate notes of vanilla, a hint of brioche and fine roasted aromas stem from the maturation and lend depth. A subtle touch of lemon zest provides freshness and clarity. This creates a captivating balance of fruit, spice and cool rocky notes.

On the palate, the wine appears creamy, dense and at the same time precise. The texture feels silky, with fine melt. The dry vinification brings clear contours and structures the ripe fruit. The acidity is around six grams and carries the wine tautly, without sharpness. The fruit of mango and ripe apple mingles with notes of yellow plum, almond cream and a hint of nougat. A delicate grip on the palate recalls very fine tannin, as with good barrel maturation.

The steep site with its lime-rich soils clearly shapes the style. A salty kick on the finish gives the wine tension and length. The aftertaste lingers for many seconds. First, yellow fruit remains, then the almond emerges clearly, together with an echo of citrus and cool stony spice. The style thus appears both powerful and elegant. The wine shows strength but no heaviness.

This Weissburgunder from Alto Adige represents the alpine side of the variety. The freshness of the mountain winds meets intense sunshine. In this way, the grapes ripen fully yet retain their tension. The varietal character appears very clear here: nutty spice, ripe pome fruit, fine herbs and limestone minerality.

The most important impressions in the glass:

• Luminous straw yellow with golden reflections
• Aromas of mango, ripe apple, pear and almond
• Creamy texture with fine melt and taut acidity
• Distinct limestone minerality and salty finish
• Long, elegant finish with spice and finesse

The style clearly appears “Old World”. There is no in-your-face fruit flash in the foreground. Instead, the wine shows structure, origin and perfect balance. The Riserva quality brings additional depth and maturity. The vintage continues to evolve over years and builds new nuances again and again.

For lovers of sophisticated white wines, this wine offers an experience with a clear dramaturgy. The tasting follows an exciting sequence:

1. First impression through the dense, shiny color in the glass
2. Discovery of exotic and nutty aromas on the nose
3. Experience of the creamy yet taut structure on the palate
4. Perception of the chalky minerality and length
5. Enjoyment of its development in the glass over the course of the evening

The Sanctissimus Weissburgunder Riserva DOC - Kellerei St. Pauls thus shows the full class of a great alpine Weissburgunder. It fits into the repertoire of demanding connoisseurs and is aimed at experts who seek depth and origin in the glass.

Production of the Sanctissimus Weissburgunder Riserva DOC from Kellerei St. Pauls

The grapes come from selected steep sites around St. Pauls in Alto Adige. These parcels lie on lime-rich soils interspersed with gravel and rock. The exposed slopes capture the sun of South Tyrol. At the same time, the altitude ensures cool nights. This creates an ideal field of tension between ripeness and freshness.

Weissburgunder shows its finest side on limestone. The variety here produces dense fruit, elegant acidity and subtle nutty notes. In the Sanctissimus, this character flows in concentrated form. Only the best grapes from old vines qualify for this Riserva. Old vines root deep in the rock and produce small, aromatic berries with intense structure.

The harvest is carefully done by hand. Several passes allow for exact selection. Only fully ripe grapes make it into the cellar. The harvested fruit remains in small crates so the berries stay intact. In the cellar, gentle pressing follows. The must flows off without heavy pressure, thereby showing clarity and finesse.

A short maceration period intensifies aromas and structure. Afterwards, the must clarifies naturally. Fermentation takes place under temperature control. One part matures in stainless steel tanks, another portion in wooden casks. Large casks and partly barriques bring spice, fullness and texture. The wood component appears finely integrated, never dominant.

Extended maturation on the fine lees, partly with bâtonnage, gives the wine its creamy character. The lees protect the wine, round off the acidity and bring bread and brioche aromas. This results in the characteristic balance of density and elegance. The Riserva quality requires additional maturation time in the cellar. Only when the wine has reached inner harmony does it leave the winery.

The philosophy of Kellerei St. Pauls is based on terroir and precision. Each site presents its own character. In the Sanctissimus Weissburgunder Riserva DOC - Kellerei St. Pauls, the focus is on the combination of limestone soil, steep slopes and alpine climate. Careful work in the vineyard, selective harvesting and gentle maturation shape a wine with great radiance and cellaring potential of around ten years.

Serving recommendations for the Sanctissimus Weissburgunder Riserva DOC from Kellerei St. Pauls

This Weissburgunder is a noble companion to fine cuisine. The creamy structure and taut acidity harmonize perfectly with fish and white meat. Pan-fried turbot with buttered potatoes gains precise contrast from the chalky freshness. Pike-perch fillet with saffron risotto gains depth from the wine’s nutty notes.

This wine also pairs ideally with refined vegetarian cuisine. Tagliatelle with porcini mushrooms, gratinated fennel or a risotto with aged hard cheese make excellent partners. The exotic fruit settles gently alongside the earthy aromas of the mushrooms. The almond notes underline delicately roasted vegetables.

With poultry, the wine shows its full strength. Corn-fed chicken with herbs, veal loin in a light sauce or stuffed quail gain elegant support from the wine. The power of the Weissburgunder carries creamy sauces effortlessly. At the same time, the acidity preserves freshness on the palate. This keeps every dish clearly structured.

There are also fine combinations with cheese. The wine pairs particularly well with mildly aged mountain cheese, aged Comté or slightly nutty goat’s cheese. The wine’s nutty character reinforces these aromas and creates a harmonious picture. As an aperitif, it accompanies small bites with salmon, scallops or fine vegetables.

The wine is ideal for festive occasions, elegant dinners or celebrations with friends who appreciate great white wines. As a gift, it convinces with origin, style and its radiant appearance. Such a wine sets a clear statement of sophistication and joy of indulgence on any table.

The optimal serving temperature is around eleven to thirteen degrees. Slight cooling in the refrigerator and a brief adjustment to room temperature yield the best result. In large Burgundy glasses, its aromatic depth unfolds particularly beautifully. A brief airing in the glass or in a slender decanter opens up the complex nose.

The wine continues to mature in the cellar for many years. From five to ten years after the vintage, it develops additional honey notes, more nuttiness and an even finer structure. Those who are patient will experience an impressive spectrum of aromas over the course of its development.

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