A powerful, terroir-driven Blaufränkisch from Burgenland, which impressively embodies winemaker Roland Velich's philosophy – minimal intervention, maximum expression.
Bottler: Winery Moric, Kirchengasse 3, A-7051 Großhöflein / Austria
In the glass
Colour
Bright cherry red with slightly violet reflections and a rust-coloured rim
Nose
Meat jus, iron, roasted hazelnut and baked plum, underpinned by dried herbs, beetroot, tar, pine needles and mineral, earthy accents
Palate
Full-bodied and complex with silky tannins, vibrant acidity and a long, spicy finish; ripe dark fruits meet fine spice and mineral depth
Character
Elegant powerful wine with Burgundian finesse – profound, structured and simultaneously multi-layered; excellent ageing potential
Pairing
Braised beef shoulder, game ragout with root vegetables, aged hard cheese such as Bergkäse or Comté
Notes
Sourced from old Blaufränkisch vines in Lutzmannsburg; Moric is regarded as a pioneer for terroir-oriented, unfiltered Blaufränkisch; the 2012 vintage produced concentrated, ripe wines with excellent structure in Burgenland
Tasting note
Character
The Lutzmannsburg Alte Reben 2012 by Moric is a prime example of what Blaufränkisch can achieve at the highest level: a wine of intellectual rigour and simultaneously sensual depth. Roland Velich, the driving force behind Moric, committed himself early to the idea that Burgenland can produce red wines of world-class significance – and wines like this impressively prove this thesis.
Terroir & Origin
The village of Lutzmannsburg in western Mittelburgenland lies away from the great Neusiedlersee, in a cooler, hillier landscape that gives Blaufränkisch a distinctive mineral tension and freshness. The old vines – from which the wine takes its name – are deeply rooted in iron-rich, loamy subsoil and lend the wine a complexity and concentration that no young vineyard could ever achieve. The vintage 2012 produced ripe, structured wines in Burgenland with good ageing potential.
Grape Variety & Vinification
Blaufränkisch is Austria’s great, long underestimated red wine variety – with natural acidity, dark fruit and a characteristic peppery spice that recalls the finest crus of Burgundy or the Rhône Valley, without ever imitating them. Velich’s approach is deliberately minimalist: minimal intervention in the cellar, maturation in large wooden casks to let the terroir speak rather than create oak aromaticity. The result is a wine of transparency and authenticity.
Food Pairing Suggestions
The vibrant acidity and spicy depth of the wine make it an ideal companion for game dishes such as venison roast or wild boar goulash. It also harmonises beautifully with aged beef, herb-crusted lamb leg or hearty braised dishes. Those who prefer classic Austrian fare will remember it fondly alongside an onion-topped roast beef.
