Oliver Zeter Reserve Sauvignon Blanc Fume 2022

Fresh citrus, stone fruit & gooseberry with lovely smoky finish.

More Info

Tasting Notes: ‘A very serious Sauvignon with some honeysuckle and weight but quite enough freshness. Green grassy aromas before the richness imbued by the winemaking kicks in. Very appetising. When Germany produces a really interesting, well-balanced Sauvignon, you know the wine world is truly changing and we all have to run to keep up. A hint of reduction is encouraged. Quite long.'  Janis Robinson 

These grapes, hand-selected from the finest vineyards, exclusively undergo wild yeast fermentation and maturation in 300 or 500 litre barrels. Following an extended stay on the lees well into the summer, the wines are bottled with neither filtration nor fining. There‘s an undeniable focus on the complexity inherent to Oliver's favourite varieties, accentuated with the gentle nuance of barrel aging. Wines of depth, elegance and structure — Slow Wine. 

A total of seven vineyards in southern Palatinate and Mittelhaardt are planted with seven different Sauvignon Blanc clones. The decisive advantage of this is the various microclimates of the different sites which are beneficial to flavour diversification. The  soils in which the grape vines grow are as distinct as the sites themselves. Training usually occurs as cordon which leads to a grape area that is linear and therefore easier to handle. The vineyards are permanently green partially due to natural herbs and sowed grass. This SAUVIGNON BLANC comes from our oldest and best vineyards. The best and ripest grapes were selected in the vineyards for this purpose and were harvested by hand into small 20kg containing baskets. Then the grapes were crushed and pressed. The juice was immediately transferred to new French oak barrels where the must was spontaneously fermented. Malolactic fermentation was prevented. Next, the wine was
poured into stainless steel tanks along with its fine yeast where it remained
until it was bottled in the summer. Due to the influence of the wood, the
wine received both typical Sauvignon Blanc notes as well as a strong finish
with slightly smoky (Fumé) flavours.

Organic Practise. Working towards Organic certification.

Oliver Zeter is not your typical winemaker, forced to balance a family winemaking tradition against his own vision.  He considers himself lucky to have started from scratch. Oliver bottled his first vintage in 2007 and is already highly regarded in the winemaking industry, and one of the rising stars of the Pfalz region.  An importer first, he converted to winemaking following a trip to South Africa where he fell in love with Sauvignon Blanc.  He planted seven clones of the variety, which happily was suited to the soil and climate.

His vineyards now cover 25 hectares along the Deutsche Weinstrasse from Ungstein in the north to Pleisweiler in the south.  The winery is in the heart of Pfalz (Palatinate) on the edge of Haardt, built in 1922 and now meticulously renovated.

The affable bear on the wine labels is by artist Otto Dill, a friend of Oliver's great-grandfather Richard Baer.  The original bear image hangs in their kitchen, Oliver felt it right that this image of a thirsty bear who strongly resembles his great-grandfather, should appear on his wine bottles. 

Food Match :  Seafood, Fish with creamy sauces, Pork Loin, Smoked Mackerel Pate.

ABV: 13%

Grape : Sauvignon Blanc

Producer : Oliver Zeter

Country : Pfalz, Germany