Sanct Valentin Gewurztraminer 2020: a fragrant and lively white wine
Sanct Valentin Gewurztraminer 2020 is an aromatic and sumptuous white wine that is well-structured and elegant despite its youth
The Sanct Valentin Gewurztraminer arrives in our glasses year after year, and it never ceases to amaze us with its aromatic charge and elegance, not to mention the richness of the aromas that range from roses to mango, passing through pepper, cinnamon, marzipan, and all the tarts in the world.
The vintage is 2020, so it’s still very young, so know that it’s a white wine to buy and leave in the cellar for a few years; it’s certainly not ready!
It’s not a wine that is subtle and mysterious and hides itself. Instead, it goes for a punch in the face, an overbearing seduction, but it has to be said that after the first rush of scents and taste in the mouth, the wine has great minerality and doesn’t let you down.
It has no residual sugar, is dry and polished, and makes no concessions, so ok, go ahead and combine it with your scorching hot curry (or any fish oriental dishes), but it is not a Riesling!
How it is produced
The grapes are harvested in various plots of vineyards. The vineyards have very different characteristics: altitudes up to 500 meters, ages ranging from 5 to 35 years, always facing south-east. Fermentation and short maceration in steel, and then final refinement in steel
Organoleptic characteristics
It is a wine born to mature for at least 5–6 years and should not be drunk immediately, but the test had to be done, and it did not disappoint. The color is a shy straw yellow. The nose is splendid, sumptuous, and cheeky. It does not hide but focuses on a disruptive tropical charge, well-defined green strokes, and an impressive floral attack.
As mentioned, the extract is not lacking, and you can feel it: the green and peppery tones are there, and they do not shy away. The fruity part is a farm that grows all types of fruit in the world, from lychee to mango, from papaya to lime, passing through rose petal jam. There is no shortage of aromas of croissants, bread, and apple pie.
Spices and vanilla are there; they wink at Gruner Veltliner, and they certainly don’t come from wood. Overall, it is large and elegant, but of course you must like the genre. If you like thin, basic, and mineral wines like Riesling, forget it.
On the palate, it is roaring, enveloping, and dominated by freshness and decisive tones of almond and citrus. Spices provide relief and feel on the palate in the form of tactile modulation. It’s not rude, but it’s still hard and too rocky.
The fabric is there, the pure structure; just a little bottle refinement is missing to dampen the strength of the vegetable flavors, which are currently dominant.
Overall, it is a nice Gewurztraminer: it is not afraid and dares with a moderate but not banal maceration, which adds layers of complexity and pulp. Jasmine and ginger finish.
Price
26-27 euros.
Pairings
With this structure and these intense flavors, it is excellent in combination with Thai cuisine, spicy Chinese fish cuisine, vegetable curry, hearty white meat dishes, and baked pasta. Try it with Cantonese rice, Pad Thai, marinara risotto, carbonara, margherita pizza, and paella.