| Notes: |
In 2005 the grape loving black birds called starlings were particularly problematic. Their favorite grape was the Shiraz thus the name “Starling’s Favorite”. For wine maker Birgit Pfneisl it is a subtle reference to one of her favorite American films “The Birds”. Believe it or not Birgit comes from a Shiraz background, her father and uncles are known as the “Shiraz Brothers” and make some of Austria’s best under the Pfneisl (as apposed to Pfneizsl) label. Apparently, they call it Shiraz because the vines that they originally budded their vineyards to were from Australia. This evolved red was whole cluster pressed, saw a slow fermentation by native yeast and was punched down daily in open topped 225 liter French barrique (50% new). After malolactic fermentation and 18 months in barrel the wine was bottled and then held for six months before release. All the grapes came from their organic dry farmed, south-east facing, hillside vineyard of slate and sand stone named Kräftner. The uniquely warm character of this part of Lake Fertö (Neusiedler See) is evident in the 2005 Premium selection Shiraz. Offering up aromas of cracked pepper, fennel, and strawberry it is soft on the palate with bristly tannins followed by a refreshing twang of acidity. This is your only chance to get this wine at this price. A defunct importer in Europe had to back out of their allotment and we were able to snap it up. That is why the retail price is lower than normal wholesale! |
