2020 Erich Sattler St. Laurent, Burgenland, Austria

ABOUT THIS WINE

This traditional Austrian variety is an offspring of the Pinot Noir grape. It is similar in structure and silkiness yet has a distinct spiciness and a hint of dark fruit. The grapes go through one to two week fermentation and maceration process and are pressed carefully. The wine matures by staying on the lees for six months and is bottled after minimal filtration. It has a dark purple color with a fine and fruity nose. The structure of this wine is elegant with flavors of Morello cherry. It has pleasant acidity and a clear variety-typical character. It is a seductive wine with good length and an alcohol level of 13,0%.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Erich Sattler is emblematic of the new generation of Austrian vintners: a wine-school grad and the 4th generation in the family to take over his family’s estate, in 1999. “We make wine as my grandfather did,” he says, “only with better machines.” Located in and around the village of Tadten, Sattler’s vineyards are on the east side of Lake Neusiedl, which moderates the warm air from the easterly Pannonian plain’s continental influence.

Erich Sattler farms his vineyards in Tadten organically and became certified in 2016. Sattler’s concentration on Zweigelt and St. Laurent is a reflection of his interest in producing the very best quality from the rolling gravely hills south-west of Lake Neusiedl. All ferments are spontaneous and in a mixture of stainless steel and large, neutral cask.