Karl and Eva Schnabel, Urgestein 2022

Producer: Karl & Eva Schnabel
Region: Südsteiermark, Austria
Grapes: Pinot Noir, Blaufränkisch, Rotburger
Style: Red
Alc: 12.5%
Size: 75cl bottle
Notes: A lighter and more easy-drinking red from Karl and Eva. A blend of all three reds they grow. This is a delightful mix of savoury herbal notes and a tart cherry-like fruit.

Producer: Karl & Eva Schnabel
Region: Südsteiermark, Austria
Grapes: Rotburger
Style: Red
Alc: 11.5%
Size: 75cl bottle
Notes: The fruit here comes from the Kreuzegg vineyard which is dominated by siliceous primary rock. Macerated until the end of fermentation, so around 2 weeks, then aged in old oak barrels with occasional battonage for 1 year. Delicately aromatic (dried rose petals) and saline with burnished tannins. This opens up with unctuous, plummy fruit.

Producer: Karl & Eva Schnabel
Region: Südsteiermark, Austria
Grapes: Morillon (Chardonnay), Riesling
Style: White
Alc: 11%
Size: 75cl bottle
Notes: From a small plot planted in the Hochegg vineyard. Macerated until the end of fermentation, so around 2 weeks, then aged in old wood with occasional battonage for 1 year. You can feel the barrel ageing on the nose, but with a bit of time this opens up and softens. Spiced with notes of clove and anise, moving to a burnt caramel intensity.

Producer: Karl & Eva Schnabel
Region: Südsteiermark, Austria
Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc
Style: White
Alc: 11%
Size: 75cl bottle
Notes: This is made with fruit bought from a friend who works organically not far from the Slovenian border to the south of their own vineyards. The fruit here is pressed direct, and then aged in old barrels. This will delight fans of structured and grown-up Sauvignon Blanc. A sappy, resinous nose with heaps of spiced stewed apple on the palate.

Producer: Karl & Eva Schnabel
Region: Südsteiermark, Austria
Grapes: 80% Muskateller, 10% Pinot Blanc, 10% Welschriesling
Style: White
Alc: 10.5%
Size: 75cl bottle
Notes: Direct press of Yellow Muskateller, Pinot Blanc and Welschriesling from their own vines. The aromatics here really sing! Not too heady, but enchanting notes of jasmine and cardamom.

Producer: Karl & Eva Schnabel
Region: Südsteiermark, Austria
Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc
Style: Orange
Alc: 13%
Size: 75cl bottle
Notes: This is made with fruit bought from a friend who works organically not far from the Slovenian border to the south of their own vineyards. The fruit is macerated until the end of fermentation, so around 2 weeks, then aged in old oak barrels with occasional battonage for 1 year. The maceration gives a lovely balance to the ripe Sauvignon fruit. Quite dense in texture and dark in colour but still has lovely acidity and minerality to balance out the heady fruit.

Producer: Karl & Eva Schnabel
Region: Südsteiermark, Austria
Grapes: Chardonnay (Morillon)
Style: Orange
Alc: 12.5%
Size: 75cl bottle
Notes: From a small plot of Morillon (Chardonnay) planted in the Hochegg vineyard. Macerated until the end of fermentation, so around 2 weeks, then aged in old wood with occasional battonage for 1 year. There is an intense richness to this wine but it is not overbearing, everything is in balance. Perfect for the table.

Producer: Karl & Eva Schnabel
Region: Südsteiermark, Austria
Grapes: Blaufränkisch
Style: Red
Alc: 12%
Size: 75cl bottle
Notes: Destemmed fruit from the Hochegg vineyard – macerated until the end of fermentation, so around 2 weeks, then aged in old oak barrels with occasional battonage for 1 year. The soils in this vineyard are heavier and dominated by red slate which lends a wonderful irony minerality to the wine.

Producer: Karl & Eva Schnabel
Region: Südsteiermark, Austria
Grapes: Blaufränkisch
Style: Red
Alc: 13%
Size: 75cl bottle
Notes: Destemmed fruit from the Koregg vineyard – Macerated until the end of fermentation, so around 2 weeks, then aged in old oak barrels with occasional battonage for 1 year. The soils in this vineyard are poorer and the feel more mediterranean and this comes through in the wine which has a bit more warmth and rounded texture when compared to the Hochegg wines.

Producer: Karl & Eva Schnabel
Region: Südsteiermark, Austria
Grapes: Pinot Noir
Style: Red
Alc: 13%
Size: 75cl bottle
Notes: Destemmed fruit from the Koregg vineyard – Macerated until the end of fermentation, so around 2 weeks, then aged in old oak barrels with occasional battonage for 1 year. The soils in this vineyard are poorer and the feel more mediterranean and this comes through in the wine - for the Pinot this lends a ripeness to the fruit but the tannins are still quite fine.