Manni Nössing - Müller-Thurgau 'Sass Rigais' 2021 (750ml)
Price: $29.99
| Producer | Manni Nössing |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Alto Adige/Südtirol |
| Varietal | Müller-Thurgau |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Sku | 200157 |
| Size | 750ml |
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Manni Nössing Description
Alto Adige—or Südtirol, as it is also known—does not seem Italian. The street names are primarily German, you are more likely to come across sausage and sauerkraut on a menu than tomatoes and basil, and your phone calls are more likely to be answered by an assertive “Hallo?” than a melodic “Pronto!” It is here in Bressanone (a.k.a. Brixen), less than twenty miles south of the Austrian border, that Manni Nössing runs his small winery amid the towering peaks of the Dolomites. Manni’s vineyards benefit from the mountain climate and steep slopes of glacial deposit that make up the Valle Isarco, the narrow valley to the northeast of Bolzano that is known for its fresh, aromatic whites.
In 2000, he made the decision to start bottling his own wine instead of selling to a nearby co-op. Since then, he has increased his holdings to 5 hectares, all hillside vineyards at altitudes of 650 to 800 meters, planted to Kerner, Grüner Veltliner, Müller Thurgau, Riesling, Sylvaner, and Gewürztraminer. Kerner, a cross between Riesling and Schiava (a local red grape), represents half of his production and perfectly exemplifies the house style of precision, freshness, class, and minerality.
Vinous: 92 Points
Like chiseling away at sheer rock, the 2021 Müller-Thurgau Sass Rigais opens with a smoky and chalky burst of minerality that I find wildly attractive. With swirling, the palate leans more toward fruit, revealing lime zest and crushed green apples. This is silky-smooth, displaying undeniable elegance, just as a salty flourish and citrus-tinged acids effortlessly cut through its textural opulence. The 2021 finishes dry with tropical inner florals and tension that demands patience. The Sass Rigais can be enjoyed today for its potential, but further cellaring is recommended.
