Configuration: (6 x 750mL)

Winery: Lichtenberger González

Appellation: Breitenbrunn, Burgenland, Austria

Philosophy/Practices: Organic

Grape Variety: 100% blaufränkisch

ABV: 13.5%

Saline and graphite mineral, blackberry, pink peppercorn, purple blossom.

Winemaker's notes: The soil gradient in Adriana and Martin’s vineyards moves between pure limestone and pure slate. For this red, made with blaufränkisch vines that AVERAGE 50 years old, the couple strategically farm in very low yields to ensure maximum concentration of its exceptional, aromatic qualities. Aging occurs on the lees (an anaerobic environment) in large, predominantly neutral Austrian oak and the wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Why we love it: Blaufränkisch has the potential to be a full-bodied, full-force red wine. Particularly along Austria’s eastern border in the wider Burgenland appellation (where Lichtenberger González is) it is still often made à la Parker-era: picked very ripe and aged in tons of new oak. So imagine taking that power and distilling it down into a wine that is made to be more nuanced and elegant. You get the force of its power in the gorgeous, prominent aromatics, and a transcendent structure that’s led by freshness instead of alcohol.

In our experience, this cuvée is one of Austria’s stand-out reds… a wine that you should seek out whenever possible. Only 18 bottles available.