The wines
of
Pittnauer, Neusiedlersee, Burgenland, Austria
Obere Hauptstraße 86, A-7122
Gols, Austria
Phone: +43 21 73 22 84
Gerhard
Pittnauer is located on the east shore of the Neusiedlersee in
Austria’s Burgenland region, which is at the eastern extremity of
Austria bordering with Hungary. He’s interested in biodynamics,
which he’s now implementing in his vineyards, and he told me that he
stopped spraying synthetic chemicals last year. ‘We only use sulphur
and copper’, Gerhard emphasizes, ‘and we spray BD500 and BD501’.
These are two of the biodynamic preparations that assist with plant
and soil health. ‘We use a quadbike as well as the tractor to spray,
because this has less weight’, says Gerhard. ‘We use mechanical
tilling, and this year I will try a natural green cover beneath the
vines.’ He reports that he’s very pleased with the results of the
2006 vintage, when he didn’t use selected yeasts. ‘The results are
wonderful.’
Switching to biodynamics so far seems to have gone well
for Pittnauer. ‘It was a big risk to change everything, but now
I’m happy and optimistic for the future’. The wines tasted here
were impressive, even if three of them weren’t made with the help of
biodynamics.
Pittnauer Weisse Reben 2005 Burgenland
This soft, full flavoured white is a blend of Chardonnay, Grüner
Veltliner and Sauvignon Blanc. The open, fruity nose is a little
nutty. The palate is rich and subtly honeyed, with a lovely soft
texture and some herbal notes. Nice stuff. 90/100
Pittnauer Blaufränkisch Klassik 2006 Burgenland
(cask sample)
Deep coloured, this has a smooth, ripe, sweet nose showing lush,
dark cherry fruit. The palate is soft and dense with lovely richness
to the dark cherry fruit and some spicy notes. 91/100
Pittnauer Pinot Noir Fuschenfeld 2004 Burgenland
Attractive sweet cherryish nose. This is quite light, but there is
some meaty depth. Expressive palate shows bright fruit and a herbal
character. It’s an enjoyable, expressive Pinot. 89/100
Pittnauer St Laurent Alte Reben 2004 Burgenland
From a vineyard planted in 1965 which has low yields. Dark,
intense, concentrated spicy nose showing dark cherry fruit and a touch
of menthol from the oak. The palate is intense, full and slightly
medicinal. Concentrated with lots of fruit and a long spicy finish. A
powerful wine with real impact. 93/100
Wines tasted 02/07
See
also: Series on Austrian
wine
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