#412 Austrian Reds

Austrian Wine, no longer under the cloud of the 'antifreeze scandal' of 1985 when some wine brokers were found to be putting diethylene glycol in their wines, they have become renowned for their quality, mainly due to the controls put in place after their reputation took a hammering. 

Gruner Veltliner has become synonymous with the country, but I took a look at three red grape varieties that could be the next big thing from Austria.  Blaufrankisch is a late ripening grape that is quite tannic and spicy.  Indigenous in central Europe, and predating medieval times, it goes by numerous names depending where it is grown, but those of you of senior years will have tried it before as it was a major component of Bull's Blood.  from an old grape, to a young one, Zweigelt, a wine developed by a chap called Fritz Zweigelt in 1922.  It is a crossing of the Blaufrankisch and St Laurent grapes, and despite being less than a century old, it has become the most widely grown red varietal in Austria.  But to start off, that famous Austrian red variety... er... Pinot Noir.

2008 Pittnauer Pinot Noir
Bright cherries with a little bit of raspberry juice coming out.  Some subtle spice elements emerging, but really this is all about the bright, fresh, slightly tart, red berry fruit.  The palate has a savoury note up front, some aggressive spice and alcohol comes through.  It has a dry, lean element to it with a lot of hard, overly tart fruit.  A shame really, because the nose is nice.  81pts

2007 Little J Zweigelt by Jurtschitsch
Soft, sweetened cherries with a little bit of plum jam coming off.  There is a little boot polish mixed with some cocoa and just a touch of herb coming off.  The palate is bright, has a hardened vegetal structure to it, but some nice soft fruit backs it up, a little sweet berry and some hot spice (aniseed) comes through.  Good finish, nice balance and tasty.  88pts

2009 Moric Blaufrankisch
Big and spicy with some deep, dark meaty aromas.  A lot of sweet, pungent fruit and just a slightest touch of clay and violets coming off too.  It is really appealing.  The palate is dark and rustic, lots of steely flavours and then a bundle of rocks.  There is a lovely cherry stone mixed with some tar and leathery notes.  Some more violets on the finish that are really lovely, and it leaves you with a crisp, acidic, apple and cranberry flavour in your mouth.  91pts