For the first time, a red wine from Austria has earned 95 points from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate.
Moric Blaufränkisch Neckenmarkter Alte Reben 2006 scooped the ‘Extraordinary’ ranking in a Wine Advocate tasting of over 640 wines, of which 16 scored 95-plus, and nearly 250 earned 90-94.
‘If you have put off experiencing the potential of Burgenland Blaufränkisch, the 2006s should be the occasion,’ said David Schildknecht, who was responsible for the tasting.
‘The list of French vignerons from the Côte d’Or to Roussillon who are getting excited by these wines would surprise readers.’
Of the 16 that got 95 points or more, ten were Rieslings – including three from cult Wachau producer F X Pichler. There were four sweet wines – two from the late Alois Kracher – and one Grüner Veltliner from Willi Brundlmayer.
The success of the Burgenland red echoes the triumph of another central European red wine – a German Pinot Noir – in last year’s Decanter World Wine Awards.
Weingut Meyer-Näkel Dernauer Pfarrwingert Spätburgunder Grosses Gewächs 2005, from the Ahr, won the International Pinot Noir Trophy (Over £10), and was praised by judges for its ‘very seductive fruit and length’.
Written by Richard Woodard
