Blaufränkisch is an old Austrian grape and has a long tradition in Burgenland. Because of the fact, that it’s a rather late ripening grape, it needs diligent care of the vines and also a restriction of the yields to get physiological maturity of the grapes. Due to our manual care and processing, this wine expresses its varietal character and origin very well. “Heideboden” is the name for the plain between the “Parndorfer Platte” and the eastern shore of the lake Neusiedl. Warm, sandy, permeable soil offers the basis for classic, ageworthy, drinkable reds.
Blaufränkisch from vineyards in the village of Heideboden in Burgenland, Austria. Wild yeast fermented and matured for 12 months in used barriques. Pale purple in colour. Evocations somewhere between serious cru Beaujolais and northern Rhône on the nose. Violets, firm red cherry, maraschino and earth. On the palate there’s fresh, firm-fleshed but not particularly sweet fruit. It’s medium-bodied and juicy at its heart, with definite tannin presence and bright acids giving shape and drive. Again, there’s firm cherry and plum, with white and black pepper notes plus cinnamon. It lingers really nicely with a real sense of cohesion between fruit, acidity and fine, dusty tannin. Taut and fine-tuned, this spreads long across the palate and feels like it will open beautifully in the glass.- Ed Merrison, CellarHand
Pittnauer's wines are elegant, structured, complex and beautifully drinkable - qualities that were highlighted when Gerhard was named 2014 Winemaker of the Year by Falstaff magazine. This, the highest accolade in Austrian wine, shows just how far the Pittnauers have come. It also goes some way to showing what a fiercely gifted individual we have on our hands. But then everything -from the Pitti blend, through the vivid addition-free wines and right up to the devastatingly good single vineyards - will pretty much tell you the same thing.