2019 Weingut Prieler ‘Leithaberg’ Blaufränkish, Burgenland

The Prieler estate is located in Schützen, on the western side of the famous Lake Neusiedl. It is a historic old farm, once dedicated to many types of agriculture but now specializing in grape growing. Two generations of the Prieler family now run the estate: Engelbert and Irmgard, who in 1972 focused the estate on quality production of several grape varieties, mainly Blaufränkisch and Burgundian varieties. Their son, Georg, now heads the estate and continues working to best express the unique terroir of the Leithagebirge. Prieler’s 20 hectares are currently cultivated in vineyards between the Leithagebirge, the last boundary of the eastern Alps that protect the vines from the western winds, and the Lake Neusiedl, which tempers the hot climate of the Pannonian plain.  Why do we like it? The iron-rich, brown loam on the slopes of the Leithaberg is perfectly suited for Georg’s delicious Blaufränkisch. His meticulous work in the vineyard and in the cellar has earned the estate many awards both due to high-standing winemaking and an extremely impressive range of wines. It is compact and complex with aromas of blackcurrant, damson plum, mulberry, and toast. A little earthiness and forest floor in the background and a powerful, yet juicy finish, is why we love this wine so much. We believe it can age another 7 to 8 years easily and will develop even more earthy and tertiary notes.    Grape            Blaufränkish Country        Austria                                    Region          Burgenland                                   Vintage         2019