Johannes Zillinger Numen Fumé Blanc 2021

Biodynamic | Amphora-Fermented | Complex & Mineral-Driven

Forget everything you think you know about Sauvignon Blanc. Numen Fumé Blanc 2021 by Johannes Zillinger is a wine that challenges expectations. It’s not a typical fruit-forward Sauvignon Blanc. Instead, it’s an intricate, layered expression of the grape, shaped by biodynamic farming, amphora fermentation, and long aging on lees.

Zillinger’s winemaking philosophy is simple: let the wine make itself. The Sauvignon Blanc grapes are hand-harvested at peak ripeness and undergo a six-day intracellular maceration in Kvevri— clay vessels that allow the wine to breathe and develop naturally. After fermentation, the wine is aged for 18 months in large oak tonneaux, resting on the lees without any intervention. This extended contact with the lees builds depth, structure, and a silky mouthfeel.

The result is a wine with incredible complexity. On the nose, you get layers of melon, gooseberries, cassis, and grapefruit zest, balanced by subtle herbal and hay-like aromas. The palate is textured and mineral-driven, with a delicate interplay of wax, malt, and flinty smokiness. There’s a quiet intensity to this wine, leading to a long, characterful finish that lingers on the tongue.

Numen Fumé Blanc is bottled unfiltered, with only a minimal sulfite addition (30 mg/L) to preserve its purity.

Pair this wine with grilled salmon trout, skrei tartare, or ricotta ravioli with parmesan and truffle. The wine’s complexity and structure make it a perfect match for rich, umami-driven dishes.

This is Sauvignon Blanc like you’ve never tasted before.