BLAUFRÄNKISCH LEITHAKALK

2020 Weingut Kollwentz

IN STOCK
Grapes Blaufränkisch
Colour Red
Origin Austria, Burgenland
Other Vegan
ABV 14%

The 2020 Blaufränkisch Leithakalk was harvested from the Point and Setz sites. It was matured in small used barrels for two years. Intense blueberry comes with overtones of cinnamon and a distinct note of wet chalk. The palate is concentrated but contoured, bringing far more power than your usual estate wine. There is a certain amount of heat but no opulence. This is dense with fine, drying tannin, bold, muscular but toned. Tar hints shimmer amidst inky blueberry. It's quite a mouthful of wine, with proper length and a peppery finish. This may be Kollwent’s entry Blaufränkisch, but I'd lay this down. (Bone-dry) Drinking range: 2025 - 2035 Rating: 92 Anne Krebiehl MW, Vinous.com (Nov 2023)

*Case price discount: Mix any 12 bottles of wine (or 9 litre equivalent) or 6 bottles of Champagne, Spirits, Sweet Wine or Fortified (4.5 litres) to get the discounted 'case price' for each bottle.

Expressive nose of forest berries and gingerbread spices. The impressive tannin structure gives this quite some power on the medium- to full-bodied palate, but without any hint of the chewiness that you can get with this grape. Excellent integration of oak and fruit. Drink or hold. Rating: 93 Stuart Pigott, JamesSuckling.com (Sept 2023)

Weingut Kollwentz

The Kollwentz estate is on the Leithabirge in Burgenland, where there is a long history of winemaking. The region has a very specific 'Pannonian' climate, marked by cold dry winters, hot dry summers and also, critically, often benefits from 'Indian' summers - a long fine autumn in which the grapes ripen fully and can be harvested at the optimum moment. The nearby Neusiedlersee lake, which is over 320 sq.km. is an important factor in regulating the temperatures.

The Kollwentz family cultivate 25 hectares of vines in sites that were already known for wine production in the 16th century. The vineyards stretch from the foot of the Leithabirge, at 170m above sea level, up to the Gloria vineyard at 325m. Generally the reds are grown below 200m, in the deeper soils, while the whites are above.

Viticulture is traditional, by hand, and all the wines are hand-picked. They are proud to say that 'botryicides, no insecticides and no herbicides' are used, but also that they don't make orange wine. All the wines are aged in barrel for between six and thirty months.

Anton Kollwentz, who took over at the age of 18 in 1940, is responsible for the much of the success of the estate. Starting with the sweet wines, then moving on to establishing a reputation for the dry whites, then taming the rude tannins of Blaufränkisch with malolactic fermentation and barrel ageing, he paved the way. The current winemaker is his son Andi, who, with his wife Heidi, took over in 2004. Recent vintages have won a impressive roster of awards in both colours - indeed in every category in which they make wine.

This wine isn't currently part of a mixed case, but you can always browse our full selection of mixed cases here.
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