2017 Claus Preisinger Zweigelt and Blaufrankish

One of the more fascinating phenomena to happen in the last couple of years, is the emergence of Austrian reds onto the American wine scene. When I first got into this lovely business, there were perhaps a handful in some of the better stores. However, they were hardly appreciated and far from serious players. Yet the emergence makes sense. The Austrian red grapes of Zweigelt, Blaufrankish and St. Laurent tend to have what people are looking for. Overall on the lighter side with some similar characteristics that one might see in the ever popular Pinot Noir. I always love to susbstitute one of these for a customer and throw some caution to the wind. 

Today's top producer, Claus Preisinger, has easily been our most popular Austrian producer for reds in the last few years, but a bit vacant over the last year since they changed distributor hands. A little background: Presinger's winery is right outside the tiny town of Gols, on the northeast corner of the Neusiedlersee. He currently farms 19 hectares split between about 64 different plots. Biodynamic since 2008, Claus has embraced the methodology to consistently produce delicious, layered, composed wines, showcasing the unadulterated terroir of Burgenland and often showcasing autochthonous varieties. Claus’ priority has always been to produce wine that is pure, balanced, and expressive of his terroir. He was also one of the first Austrian winemakers to experiment with Amphorae and Georgian fermentation techniques.

While he has a wide range of wines, today we are featuring two of his more popular ones: Zweigelt and Blaufrankish

Are these wines for you?

Do you like Pinot but find it too expensive: Yes
Do you tend to like light and fruit driven red wines with a little bit more substance: Yes
Are you a smart consumer who recognizes a great deal: Yes
Then these are for you....
 

• Both are ready to ship
• Wines can be combined for top discount: i.e., 3 Blaufrankish, 3 Zweigelt for the 6 bottle deal 

The name 'Kalkstein'  refers to the shell limestone soils found in the vineyards where this wine grows, with an average vine age of 30-years-old. Grapes are hand-harvested and spontaneously fermented in stainless tank followed by aging sur lie in used large wooden barrel for six months before being bottled with low amounts of sulfur. This is textbook Blaufränkisch or what we believe this grape should aspire to. Super bright minerality with intimate layers of exotic plum, berries and herbs. Gorgeous nose with leather, lavender and tobacco. Floral on the palate with a real pick up of berry concentration that is wild and primordial with self containing firmness, grit and edge. 

"Kieselstein" refers to the abundance of pebble stones found in the vineyards, where vine age is around 25 years on average.  Darker purple color than the Blaufrankish, with a more posturing berry essence yet gentler tannins and softer acid. More of a medium finish on the palate but more fatter herbal and brighter berry concentration.