2018
6x75cl
DP
£434.42
vintage
portfolio
2018
6x75cl
DP
£434.42
As always, there is a big step up to the Ried Spitzerberg. A blend of the three oldest vineyards of the estate, up to 70 years old, hailing from both the east and western sides of the hill, the Ried Spitzerberg benefits hugely from a complex mix of soil types and expositions. On the western side, the soils are looser and more friable, which can stress the vines, but produces more transparent, ethereal, mineral-laced fruit. The eastern plots, by contrast, hold more water and see more even ripening. While less extravagant in profile, they bring a more measured quality, and plenty of detailed, succulent fruit to the blend. The 2018 Ried Spitzerberg offers up incredibly detailed, crisp cherry fruit with a stony, mineral backbone. With aeration it bursts with ripe summer strawberries and intense but tight fresh fruit. Long and lithe finishing on sweet tannins, a trace of salt, and aromas of mountain herbs, it is a wine of outstanding balance and complexity. Aged for 20 months in large cask.
Weingut Dorli Muhr was established in 2002 in partnership with leading Portuguese winemaker Dirk Niepoort. An early pioneer in the Carnuntum region, Dorli spotted great potential here, particularly of the magical Spitzerberg hill, and set about slowly buying-up and tending old, formerly abandoned plots and planting new vines. In Carnuntum, eastern Austria, conditions are largely warm and dry, and in deciding to focus on Blaufrankisch Dorli has brought acclaim to the region and positioned her small twelve-hectare estate as arguably the finest red wine estate in Austria. In 2015 she converted the estate to fully organic viticulture, and the subsequent appointment of Lukas Brandstatter as winemaker, has seen quality rise to a new level. In 2019, not only did Dorli become the sole owner of the estate, Ried Spitzerberg was finally recognised as an Erste Lage – recognition at last that it is one of Austria prime vineyards. An extraordinary, steep site, the vines are planted on hard limestone and exposed to constant cooling breezes that maintain freshness and minerality in the wines. Harvest is carried out entirely by hand and fermentations and aging takes place in large, traditional Austrian fuders with varying proportions of whole bunches. Samt & Seide is the principal wine of the estate; a pure Blaufrankisch which translates as “Velvet & Silk”. It is a blend of various parcels of vines across the Spitzerberg hill. It is an elegant and invigorating wine that absolutely over delivers on its price. As well a host of other stunning reds, including a straight Syrah, the estate also produces a Gruner Veltliner in limited volumes. It is a textured, savoury, spicy style thanks to some skin contact and a touch of Riesling in the blend.
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