Winemaker Notes
Brilliant straw yellow. This Sauvignon is enticingly exotic in the glass, with multilayered fruit of mango, papaya, lime and red grapefruit, and herbal aromas reminiscent of lemon grass, lemon balm, mint and green tea. It also reveals mineral notes of flint combined with a hint of gooseberry. On the palate, the wine offers a fascinating interplay of juicy fruit aromas and delicate minerality creating a harmonious opulence with a long and impressive finish.
An exciting companion to oysters, salmon tartare and crudités of shellfish, as well as green apple risotto with crispy fried char filets, poached lobster or roast lamb in a herb crust with poached asparagus; mature goat's cheese.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Restrained and mineral, this is focused on sage and gooseberries with lemon-pulp aromas and flavors. The medium-bodied palate is vibrant and zesty yet balanced by just enough weight. Polished finish. Drink or hold.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The Cantina Terlano 2023 Alto Adige Terlano Sauvignon Quarz offers a slightly softer and less exuberant interpretation of the grape compared to the Winkl, which is all about brightness and primary fruit. The Quarz shows more depth and complexity thanks to a focus on fruit exclusively from steep vineyards (with 10% to 40% inclines at 300 to 550 meters in elevation). It sees a slow ferment with controlled temperatures, and it ages on the fine lees for nine months in a combination of large oak cask and stainless steel.
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Vinous
The 2023 Sauvignon Quarz is remarkably lifted and refined in this vintage, as crushed limes, young kiwis and mint are complicated by a whiff of flint. This is a model of purity, like drinking liquid rocks, with a stern mineral core and cooling acidity that propels its citrus-spiked orchard fruits. A pretty inner sweetness lingers, offset by a sour twang as hints of green melon fade, leaving a salty tinge and the palate salivating for more. This is a riveting expression of Quarz. Rating: 94+
Located in the Dolomite Mountains in the foothills of the Alps, Terlano's distinctive location and extraordinary terroir are key to the development of their stunning, world-renowned wines. Situated in a sheltered hollow, Terlano benefits from an ideal south-facing exposure. Vineyard slopes ranging from 250m-900m ASL provide perfect conditions for the cultivation of grapes, especially Lagrein, a variety that is indigenous to the Alto Adige region. In the vineyard, red porphyry rocks with high mineral content retain the day's warmth, while the porous soil creates an environment with just enough moisture for the roots to extend deeper into this mineral-rich soil. In combination with cool evening temperatures, these factors create wines of incredible depth and potential for aging.
Founded in 1893, Cantina Terlano has grown into one of the leading wine growers' cooperatives in the Alto Adige region of northeastern Italy. With a current membership of 143 growers farming a total area of 165 hectares, Terlano ensures the highest standards of quality by compensating growers for the quality of their grapes not the quantity. The emphasis in the vineyard is on reducing yield in favor of producing more concentrated fruit.
Terlano produces 70 percent white wines and 30 percent red wines, all of them of DOC quality designation. Following a winery renovation in 2009, the cellars now include a total of 18,000m of storage space, which ensures that the wines can develop undisturbed. On the outside, the building has a natural exterior of red porphyry, the stone that gives the wines in the area their typical character. The roof of the winery is planted with vines so that the building blends in completely with the surrounding countryside.
Terlano wines are classified in four distinct quality lines: Tradition, Selection, Rarity and Primo. Terlano wines are famous for their incredible depth and complexity and their stellar reputation continues to make these wines highly sought after both at home and internationally.
Capable of a vast array of styles, Sauvignon Blanc is a crisp, refreshing variety that equally reflects both terroir and varietal character. Though it can vary depending on where it is grown, a couple of commonalities always exist—namely, zesty acidity and intense aromatics. This variety is of French provenance. Somm Secret—Along with Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc is a proud parent of Cabernet Sauvignon. That green bell pepper aroma that all three varieties share is no coincidence—it comes from a high concentration of pyrazines (herbaceous aromatic compounds) inherent to each member of the family.
Wine by Region › Italy › Trentino-Alto Adige › Alto Adige
Taking full advantage of direct sunlight exposure on its steep slopes, many of Alto Adige’s best vineyards are planted at extreme altitude... read more