Sopron, Hungary
Lake Neusiedl, Burgenland
At the southwestern tip of Lake Neusiedl on a gentle, eastward-facing slope sit the gorgeous vineyard holdings of Franz Weninger. The gneiss and mica schist, which are present all the way to the surface, make the soil porous and thus dry and warm.
Coming from 25-50 year old vines, this Blaufränkisch is hand-harvested, fermented in a mix of wooden and concrete vats and then aged for 24 months in 500L barrels. A fairly tiny production of 13,700 bottles were produced of this highly intriguing, immensely complex and layered red. There's a palpable spicy crushed black pepper note right at the forefront, that opens into juicy cherry, delicate plum, herbaceousness and earth. It's juicy, balanced and pretty charming with its freshness and silky texture.
Ideal as an end of evening sipper to be enjoyed with a board of mature cheeses and game meat-based charcuterie. As a dinner pairing, it's beautiful with roasted game meats, goulash, creamy pastas with bold flavours or roasted root vegetables with spices.