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2006 Pittnauer Blaufrankish Klassik Burgenland

Burgenland, AUSTRIA
$31. 99
Bottle
$383.88 Dozen
Closure: Cork
Notes sourced from the producer.

It has been 15 years since Brigitte and Gerhard Pittnauer started to run the winery in Gols near Lake Neusiedl in Burgenland, at the eastern extremity of Austria bordering with Hungary. With only 3.8 hectares of vineyards they took over from Gerhard’s parents and dared to jump in at the proverbial deep end. In 2001 the construction of the striking and individually designed production hall in the middle of the vineyards allowed for a “quantum jump” as far as quality and quantity is concerned. Today the Gerhard & Brigitte Pittnauer Winery ranks among Austria’s rising red wine producers. Gerhard is interested in bio-dynamics, which he’s now implementing in his vineyards, and he told me that he stopped spraying synthetic chemicals last year. ‘We only use sulphur and copper’, Gerhard emphasizes, ‘and we spray BD500 and BD501’. These are two of the biodynamic preparations that assist with plant and soil health. ‘We use a quad-bike as well as the tractor to spray, because this has less weight’, says Gerhard. ‘We use mechanical tilling, and this year I will try a natural green cover beneath the vines.’ He reports that he’s very pleased with the results of the 2006 vintage, when he didn’t use selected yeasts. ‘The results are wonderful.’ Switching to bio-dynamics so far seems to have gone well for Pittnauer. ‘It was a big risk to change everything, but now I’m happy and optimistic for the future’. Across the board these are impressive wines – a true indication that Austria can do really exciting red wines as well!

Tasting note: Deep coloured, this has a smooth, ripe, sweet nose showing lush, dark cherry fruit. The palate is soft and dense with lovely richness to the dark cherry fruit and some spicy notes. The flavours are reminiscent of Pinot Noir, Nebbiolo or Syrah; but it’s not quite any of these. Very intriguing...