Country: Austria  Region: Burgenland  Vintage: 2013 Category: Red Wine  Color:  Red Producer: Heinrich "Heinrich lies in the village of Gols in the Neusiedlersee area of Burgenland, to the south-east of Vienna and just a few kilometres from the Hungarian border. The continental influence, hot summers and the east and south-facing aspect of the vineyards results in riper, fuller reds, yet Gernot Heinrich maintains finesse in his wines by using indigenous varieties such as Blaufränkisch, St. Laurent and Zweigelt. The 100 hectares of vineyard are located 140 metres above sea level on the Parndorfer Platte, a regional ledge, and on the cooler, limestone-dominated Leithaberg that reaches up to 250 metres in altitude. They have been farmed according to biodynamic principles since early 2006, and the wines have been officially certified since the 2009 vintage. The vines are up to 45 years old, with all the grapes being harvested by hand. The fruit is carried through the winery by a gravity system, which minimises the extraction of harsh tannins.The juicy Heinrich Red is a blend of Zweigelt, Blaufrankisch and St. Laurent. It is an excellent introduction to red Austrian grape varieties and to Gernot’s skill with them. His St. Laurent is sourced from different parcels planted on the light loam and limey gravel soils of the higher slopes, including 50% from the Rosenberg vineyard, where the silica soils impart complexity and a fine structure to the wine. The Zweigelt is grown on the heavier soils lower down, in the best sites of the Heideboden, between the Parndorfer Platte and the Neusiedlersee, as well as on the Leithaberg on the western shore of the lake, which imbues the wines with great freshness and purity." Product Features: Certified Organic Product Allergens: Sulphites Label Winemaker: Gernot Heinrich / Harald Lehner Vineyards: The continental climate of Heinrich's vineyards, with the hot summers and cold winters of the Hungarian steppes, coupled with the light loamy soils near Lake Neusiedl, provide good conditions for grape growing. A fresh, northeasterly wind ensures the relatively high rainfall does not cause the grapes to rot. The St Laurent is made from different parcels on slopes 140m above sea level, including 35% from the Rosenberg vineyard in Breitenbrunn/Leithagebirge, an east-facing vineyard with silcia soils which leads to a complex, finely structured wine. The vines are between 5-35 years old. St Laurent is related to Pinot Noir but ripens earlier and has thick skins making it not only resistant to rot, but also capable of giving wines with good colour and structure. Gernot has farmed his vineyards according to biodynamic principles since 2006 and has been certified since 2009. Vinification: Harvested by hand at the beginning of September 2013. Selection was done in the vineyard, with very careful follow-up selection in the winery on the sorting belt. The grapes were processed by gravity (without the use of pumps) and spontaneous fermentation occurred in steel tanks and wooden fermenters at 30°C maximum with punching down by hand. Maceration lasted three weeks in a wooden fermentation vat and stainless steel tank. The wine was aged for thirteen months in use 500-litre oak barrels and bottled at the beginning of August. Tasting Notes: Dark ruby with a garnet hue. The complex bouquet is packed with dark berry fruit and has a fine mineral core with spicy top notes. Forest fruits are to the fore on the palate, which is nicely balanced with supple tannins. Elegant and fresh on the finish. Food Suggestion: Great with dark game dishes or a spicy ragu pasta. Closure: Vinolok  ABV:12%  Acidity [g/l]: 5