Weingut Muster
Natural wines from Sepp and Maria Muster in South
Styria, Austria
Website: www.weingutmuster.com
Maria & Sepp Muster (Sepp is pictured above)
are based in southern Styria (Sudsteirmark), Austria, not far from
the Slovenian border. They have 10 hectares of vines and are
certified biodynamic by Demeter Austria, which is very strict.
The steeply sloped vineyards are formed of rocky, clay and silt
soils with some limestone, and they’re at an altitude of around 450
metres. Southern Styria has warm summers with cool nights, and cold
winters – it’s a continental climate.
The vines are trellised on chestnut posts with a single wire at 1.8
metres. Canes are trained along this and then the foliage hangs
down, giving the vineyards a slightly wild look. But it works in
this climate – it’s the traditional method here.
Winemaking is quite natural. All ferments are spontaneous and the
wines mature for long periods in barrel – normally at least two
years. They are then bottled without fining or filtration, and some
wines are made without added sulfur dioxide, while others have small
additions.
These are
fabulous wines. They are now being imported into the UK by Les Caves
de Pyrene.
THE WINES
Sepp & Maria Muster Erde 2011 Steierland, Austria
This wine comes in a distinctive clay-effect bottle. It’s
Sauvignon with a bit of Chardonnay and spends a year on its skins
with 50% stems. It has a lovely floral nose with elderflowers and
apricots, leading to a palate showing minerals, a savoury edge and
grainy but smooth structure. Supple and delicious, this is a lovely
wine. Doug Wregg says that he has had a bottle of this open for
seven days, and watched its fascinating evolution. 94/100 (02/15)
Sepp & Maria Muster Erde 2011 Steierland, Austria
Very floral with peach and apricot notes, as well as some citrus
freshness. The textured palateis broad and rich with lovely melon
and apricot fruit, as well as grainy structure. So beautiful. 94/100
(04/14)
Sepp & Maria Muster Sgaminegg 2008 Steierland, Austria
A blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay from an extraordinary
terroir that’s very stony with lots of flint. This wine is warm,
rich and nutty with a spicy peachy nose, and a textured, rounded,
bold palate with some pear and melon fruit. So textured and rich,
this is developing nicely. 92/100 (02/15)
Sepp & Maria Muster Sgaminegg 2010 Steierland, Austria
Top of the slope with very poor soils, a blend of Sauvignon and
Chardonnay. Amazing nose with some matchstick reduction and a bit of
rubber. The palate is linear with amazing freshness and vitality,
with that lovely reduction adding complexity. 94/100 (04/14)
Sepp & Maria Muster Gräfin 2011 Steierland, Austria
100% Sauvignon Blanc, 16 days on skins, 20% stems. Full yellow
colour. Richly textured pear and peach fruit. Lovely detailed palate
is elegant with some grip and really pretty fruit. This is the most
elegant of orange (skin contact) wines. 94/100 (04/14)
Sepp & Maria Muster Sauvignon Vom Opok 2011 Steierland, Austria
Appley, herby, rounded and fruity with nice texture and some
waxy notes. Nice weight. 89/100 (04/14)
Sepp & Maria Muster Graf Sauvignon 2010 Steierland, Austria
Complex aromatics leads to a rounded palate showing herbs,
lemons, apples and pears with some smoky minerality. A vital wine.
92/100 (04/14)
Sepp & Maria Muster Graf Morillon 2011 Steierland, Austria
Morillon is the local name for Chardonnay. Textured with pear
and spice notes as well as lovely rounded fruit. Mouthfilling pure
and mineral with ripe apple fruit dominating. 91/100 (04/14)
Sepp & Maria Muster Zweigelt 2011 Steierland, Austria
Juicy, vivid and bright with zippy cherry and plum fruit, as
well as keen acidity. 91/100 Sepp & Maria
Muster Graf Zweigelt 2007 Steierland, Austria
From rocky soils at the top of the slope. Very stylish, chalky and
grainy with lovely pure fruit and some slightly earthy, chalky
notes. Sophisticated stuff with good structure and refinement.
92/100 (02/15)
Sepp & Maria Muster Graf Zweigelt 2008 Steierland, Austria
Ripe and sweet with cherries and plums, as well as nice grip, and a
savoury, meaty edge. A nicely complex wine. 91/100 (04/14)
Sepp & Maria Rotwein 2009 Steierland, Austria
A blend. This shows lively cherries and herbs with hints of meat and
cheese, with the crisp berry fruits kept fresh by high acidity.
90/100 (04/14)
See
also:
Visiting
Austria's wine regions (series)
Wines
tasted as indicated (month/year)
Find these wines with wine-searcher.com
Back
to top
|