K+K Kirnbauer - Cuvee Forever 2015

K+K Kirnbauer - Cuvee Forever 2015 (92 TSW)

One of the discoveries during our virtual tasting was this Bordeaux blend (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc) from Austria. Yes you heard it right. Austria!

In Austria 75% white and only 25% red is produced. But K+K Kirnbauer is famous for its beautiful red wines. Mittelburgenland is also called Blaufränkischland. But Walter also combines French with Austrian grape varieties, the result: world class cuvées.

Weingut K + K Kirnbauer is a real family business. The family vineyard is located in the heart of Burgenland. Here, the sun pampers the vines 300 days a year. Together with the heavy soils, the best wines are produced here on the 40-hectare vineyard. All wines from K + K Kirnbauer have the potential to age.

Harmony of wine and wood is the house philosophy. The Zweigelt Girmer is even aged in oak barrels whose wood comes from their own forest. Few wineries can say that. K + K Kirnbauer is fully committed to sustainable management: preserving nature and resources to enable future generations to create optimal conditions for wine making.

About the wine:

Vinification: Gentle destemping, meticulous sorting to eliminate all green parts, unripe and overripe berries and any “biodiversity”. Regulated fermentation in stainless steel tanks, maceration time 21 days, malolactic fermentation in barriques. Aging for 36 months in new French oak barrels.

My tasting notes:

In the glass a dark ruby red color with violet reflections.
On the medium(+) nose aromad of ripe blackberries, black cherries and plums with hints of chocolate, herbs, sweet spices and smoke.
On the palate dry, full-bodied with medium(+) sweet tannins and medium acidity. Nnicely balanced with flavours of cassis, berry jam, cedar and choclate and a nice long final. This wine will even get better within 5/10 years.