2014 Sauvignon Quartz
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Tasting notes
The 2014 Sauvignon Blanc Quarz wafts up remarkably fresh yet also intense, as smoky crushed stone and savory herbs give way to spicy hints of tangerine. It’s soft upon entry with a salty flourish up front, as notes of sour lime and green apple cascade across the palate. This leaves a tart twang through the finale, which refreshes the senses and leaves them watering for another sip. While the 2014 hails from a very difficult vintage, it has amazing balance and is quite likable today.
Critic scores
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Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The 2014 Alto Adige Terlano Sauvignon Quarz is a fantastic white wine that defeats the odds of a challenging vintage. The wine shows Sauvignon Blanc intensity with yellow rose, candied fruit, mountain herb and passion fruit. No doubt, the structure and general intensity of this wine is much deeper and more elaborate compared to its many peers. Despite it many attributes, this vintage is better suited for near or medium-term consumption.
It's pretty bold of Terlano to make their top Sauvignon, the Quarz, in 2014. Medium in body and with less depth than is the norm, the 2014 is very nicely done. Soft contours and gently varietal nuances give the 2014 much of its appeal, yet there is plenty of underlying brightness and salinity to keep the flavors bright. The 2014 is not a great Quarz, but all things considered it is a remarkable success. I would prefer to drink the 2014 sooner rather than later, while its balance remains compelling. The Quarz is one of the wines of the year in what was a very challenging vintage.