Pittnauer Pitti 2021

Description

“It’s 20-odd years since Gerhard and Brigitte Pittnauer took over the winery in Gols near Lake Neusiedl in Burgenland, bordering Hungary at the eastern edge of Austria. Over that time they’ve pushed the boundaries of Austrian red winemaking, in particular with St Laurent and Zweigelt. In 2001 the construction of the fittingly striking production hall in the middle of the vineyards allowed for a quantum jump in quality and quantity.

“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.” Importer, Cellarhand notes.

About this wine from the winemakers: “The Pitti blend is made up of Zweigelt and Blaufränkisch and represents the lake, its micro and macro climate, its surrounding landforms and their geology in all its shades. In terms of climate, the cool winds on the Parndorfer Platte play just as much a role as the often dry and hot conditions on the heathland and the constant regulating influence of Lake Neusiedl. The subsoil is also diverse: some vines are rooted in loess, others in loamy sand, and still others in calcareous black earth soils.

“All vineyards are cultivated either organically or biodynamically – not all by us, but all according to our principles. From a meteorological point of view, 2022 was a relatively calm year. Although we would have liked a little more rainfall in spring and summer, all in all we were more than satisfied with the weather and the development of the vines and grapes. The fact that it actually started to rain at the end of August wasn’t a disadvantage. Even though it involved a little more work in the short term, the precipitation revitalized the vines and grapes before the upcoming harvest weeks. The harvest took place under a blue sky with noticeable temperature differences between day and night. The vinification of the different batches, the aging and the assemblage took place entirely in our cellar: The grapes were spontaneously fermented after a relatively short contact with the mash and then aged in large, used wooden barrels for about a year.

“Finely knitted, focused and compact. Ripe red berries and a gentle spice set the tone in the nose. On the palate, the aromas are embedded in a juicy and vital body, to which the fine interplay of acid and tannins give dynamism and temperament. The Pitti then flows cool and clear over the palate, leaving fruity traces reminiscent of dark cherries.” – Gerhard & Brigitte Pittnauer

Delicious medium bodied red blend of Austria’s native red varieties, Blaufrankisch and Zweigelt. This fine red reminds me of a cross between the strawberry raspberry characters of Pinot with some of sangiovese’s wild herbs and refreshing acidity. What a riot of red fruit ..Yum!

Review of previous vintatge .. 90 points, Wine Enthusiast Magazine “An intriguing touch of salty licorice hangs over the nose before black-cherry notes reassert themselves. They burst on the juicy palate and deliver dense but easy pleasure, bags of fruit and tons of charm. This is medium bodied, dry, with a slight tannic grip. The finish is juiciness itself.”

RRP $35  *Our Special Price $28.50 when you buy 6 or more of this wine*