The Ultimate Austrian Wineguide 2022/23

NIEDERÖSTERREICH/LOWER

NIEDERÖSTERREICH/LOWER AUSTRIA 92 Zweigelt * Höflein Ried Bärnreiser 1ÖTW 2018 92 Zweigelt * Ried Bärnreiser 1ÖTW 2017 93 Merlot Optime 2018 14,4 Vol.-%, cork, barrique, €€€€ 93 Merlot Optime 2017 Intense ruby, purple fading to ochre at the rim. Fine noble wood spices, ripe red cherries, subtle liquorice, tobacco notes, delicate herbal savouriness. Juicy body, ripe red cherries, subtle sweetness, taut tannins, fine toasty aromas, a hint of milk caramel on the finish, fresh, well-structured and mineral, lovely and long; a versatile food companion. 92 Merlot Optime 2016 WEINGUT FAMILIE PITNAUER Only hand-harvested grapes of the highest quality from vineyards in the best locations, this is part of the success formula of the Pitnauer winery. However, the other part of this success story is down to imaginative branding, influenced by bird spotting. In 1986, the Pitnauers spotted a flock of colourful migratory birds with a particularly melodic sound, fascinated by these exotic song birds aka bee-eaters (Meropidae) in their Göttlesbrunn vineyard they decided to designate their best Zweigelt range with artistic wine labels in honour of them. The bee-eaters like to nest in the nooks and crannies of the steep, warm, loess walls, ideal climatic conditions for the heat-loving African migratory bird. Thus this colourful bird became the brand image on the Pitnauer’s immediate recognisable Zweigelt labels. The 22 hectares of vineyards are cultivated with experience and a great passion for nature with no usage of insecticides nor herbicides. As a result, the estate produces excellent and very diverse wines year after year. Over 50 percent of the total area is planted with Zweigelt, and the rest with Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet WEINGUT FAMILIE PITNAUER 2464 Göttlesbrunn Weinbergstraße 4-6 T: +43 (2162) 8249 weingut@pitnauer.com www.pitnauer.com Winemaker/Contact: Johannes Pitnauer Production: 20 % white, 80 % red, 22 hectares Fairs: ProWein Düsseldorf, VieVinum Distribution partners: BE, DE, UK, NL, CH Franc of the red grape varieties. The reds are particularly sought after for their distinct quality and ageing potential. The white wine grape varieties are Grüner Veltliner, Sauvignon Blanc and Gelber Muskateller which cover a small area but also very notable. Since 2018, the Pittnauers son, Johannes has taken over the management of the winery with a very promising outlook. Visitors are more than welcome to visit Weingut Familie Pittnauer in the Weinbergstraße by appointment only. 91 Grüner Veltliner * Ried Hagelsberg Große Reserve 2015 (89) Grüner Veltliner * Classic 2021 13 Vol.-%, screwcap, steel tank, €€ 89 Grüner Veltliner * Classic 2020 88 Grüner Veltliner * Classic 2019 (90) Gelber Muskateller Selektion 2021 13,5 Vol.-%, screwcap, steel tank, €€ 91 Gelber Muskateller Selektion 2020 89 Gelber Muskateller Selektion 2019 (90) Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2018 13,2 Vol.-%, screwcap, steel tank, €€ 93 Zweigelt * Ried Bärnreiser 1ÖTW 2018 14 Vol.-%, cork, used barriques, €€€€€ 92 Zweigelt * Ried Haidacker 1ÖTW 2018 14 Vol.-%, cork, used barriques, €€€€€ 92 Zweigelt * Ried Haidacker 1ÖTW Reserve 2017 91 Zweigelt * Göttlesbrunn Bienenfresser® 2018 13,5 Vol.-%, cork, used barriques, €€€€ 92 Zweigelt * Göttlesbrunn Bienenfresser 2017 90 Zweigelt * Rubin Carnuntum 2020 14,5 Vol.-%, screwcap, used barriques, €€ (90) * Rot Classic Cuvée 2019 ZW/SY 13 Vol.-%, screwcap, used barriques, €€ 90 * Carnuntum Rot 2019 ZW/SY CARNUNTUM DAC 94 Franz Josef Große Reserve 2016 ZW/CS Deep ruby-garnet, purple glints, faintly brighter at the rim. Fine tobacco nuances, delicate dark fruit of the forest jam, followed by lovely liquorice notes, smoky scents, and candied orange zest. Savoury bouquet. Juicy, taut, well-integrated tannins, graceful, ripe plums on the finish, wood note reverberations, some vanilla, and cloves. A good food companion with potential. 91 Merlot vom Schotter Große Reserve Quo Vadis® 2019 14 Vol.-%, cork, used barriques, €€€€€ 93 Merlot Quo Vadis Große Reserve 2018 Dark ruby, purple fading to ochre at the rim. Tobacco notes lie under noble wood spices, black cherries and subtle liquorice notes with a savoury backdrop; an inviting bouquet. Juicy, elegant, fine extract-sweetness, silky tannins, persistent, balanced and with good length. Drinking well now but has potential to age further; a versatile food companion. 93 Syrah Pegasos Große Reserve 2018 SY/ZW/ME Merlot Wine cellar-lined lane in Göttlesbrunn 72 falstaff WINE GUIDE 2022/23 * Carnuntum DAC 73