Werlitsch, Ex-Vero II 2023

Place: Styria, Austria

Grape: Chardonnay + Sauvignon Blanc

Vibe: Natural, textural

Ex Vero is one of the most beautiful vineyards I've had the pleasure of laying eyes on. A steep, verdant hillside nestled between Ewald at the bottom and his brother Andreas Tscheppe's house at the top. The energy here is palpable and it reverberates through the bottles too.

II comes from the mid slopes. A slightly different expression, same guaranteed deliciousness, with a little more Chardonnay. The 2023 was a nicely balanced vintage and this still feels youthful, with plenty of reductive power that has become the region's calling card. The chalky opok soils lend additional texture to counterbalance all that tension. Gloriously orchard fruited, with Sauvignon adding a lick of lime to keep things super fresh.