Gernot Heinrich - Salzberg

Salzberg is the name of what is probably the best site on the slopes of the Parndorfer Platte, where the grapes for this blend are grown.

Our view
With the Salzberg from the site with the same name we do what anyone, especially those who like this wine, would do: if there is something special to celebrate, we open a bottle! It goes best with good company, and with lots of time and leisure. There is just one drop of bitterness, however, there just is not enough of it! (In fact, none was produced from the 2005 vintage).

Characteristics
Dark, opaque ruby-garnet hue. The nose is complex with scents of graphite, dark berries, liquorice, cherry and rosemary as well as tobacco with some herbs. The palate is compact, juicy and multi-layered with notes of dark berries, bitter chocolate and pronounced tannins. Lengthy and full of ageing potential.

Origin
The Salzberg is named after the southern slope vineyard site bearing the same name and that is situated above our winery. The site is remarkable not only because of its ideal sun exposition, but also because of the impressive diversity of its soils - a palette featuring everything from clay and silt to limestone, sand and gravel. This enables us to ripen our Merlot, Blaufränkisch and Zweigelt to perfection in a relatively small space, especially because each variety grows in its own optimal soil. The sum total of complexity, harmony, fruit and warmth of this wine is no more and no less than the reflexion of a truly special vineyard.

Vinification
Harvested by hand at the end of September 2009; selection in the vineyard, very careful follow-up selection in the winery on the sorting belt; processed according to the gravity principle (without the use of pumps); fermented in oak containers; manual pumping over; 4 - 6 weeks of maceration; also malolactic fermentation and 30 months of maturation in 500-litre wooden barrels; bottled in mid-May 2012.

Figures
60 % Merlot, 30 % Blaufränkisch, 10 % Zweigelt; 14,0/5,6/0,6