Blaufränkisch Burgenland 2023

Wine description for Blaufränkisch Burgenland 2023 by Moric

Colour & appearance

Dense, luminous purple with violet reflections, youthful and powerful in its radiance.

Nose

Intense and cool: blueberry, elderberry, blackberry and juicy sweet cherry form the fruity foundation. Overlying these are liquorice, sweet wood, rosemary, dark chocolate and coffee. Hints of eucalyptus and kaffir lime lend an almost Burgundian freshness, while floral notes of violet and hibiscus complete the picture. A subtle reduction adds further tension to the bouquet.

Palate

Juicy, crisp and grippy. The fruit is vibrant and precise, whilst the tannins remain as a fine, silky veil in the background. A medium-bodied, excellently integrated acidity provides drive and drinkability, whilst a stony minerality supports the structure. Not a gram of heaviness – instead, elegance and coolness that are surprising for a Burgenland Blaufränkisch.

Finish

Long and precise: The herbal spice components – juniper, allspice, black pepper – emerge once more, combining with clear fruit and mineral freshness to create a clean, invigorating finale.

Terroir & origin

Roland Velich’s vineyards are located in Lutzmannsburg and Neckenmarkt on a prehistoric volcano. The iron-rich soils lend this Blaufränkisch its distinctive minerality. Many vines are 50 to 110 years old – genetic treasures from an era before the variety was bred for yield.

Grape variety & vinification

Blaufränkisch, vinified with Burgundian restraint: spontaneous fermentation in open wooden vats, 22 days’ maceration, then 20 months ageing on the fine lees in large, used wooden casks. No fining, no filtration. Biodynamic viticulture underlines Velich’s minimalist approach.

Food recommendations

The cool fruit and fine structure make this wine an ideal companion for roasted duck breast with red cabbage, rack of lamb with rosemary jus or beef tartare with smoked paprika. Also a first-class choice with mushroom dishes – such as porcini risotto.

Special features

Roland Velich, once a ski instructor and croupier, has put Blaufränkisch on the world map: 95 Parker points for the Neckenmarkt Alte Reben (2009), James Suckling ranks Moric among the nine best wineries worldwide, and in 2023 Velich was named Falstaff Winemaker of the Year. This Blaufränkisch Burgenland is the entry point into his world – a wine that proves Austrian red wine does not need opulence to convince.