Dorli Muhr Ried Spitzerberg Kranzen 1OTW Erste Lage 2021

Cellar for up to 10 years. Decant for 1 hour or more before serving. Dorli Muhr is a household name in the Austrian wine world thanks to her tireless work in promoting the nation’s wines on the international stage for the last three decades. In 2002 she felt the call to return to her family’s heritage, beginning with a tiny 0.17 hectare plot she inherited from her grandmother in Spitzerberg. Dorli soon became known as the “crazy woman” of the village, reducing the production per vine, treading the grapes by foot, and fermenting using natural yeasts. This painstaking attention to detail helped put Spitzerberg on the map for top quality Blaufränkisch, and in 2023 Kranzen was recognised as a Erste Lage or “Premier Cru”. These vineyards are on the eastern side of the region where the sandy soils are fine-grained and retain a bit more moisture. Dorli’s vineyards here are some of the oldest Blaufränkisch on the estate, and she chooses to mature the wine in neutral 600-litre barrels for two years. This spectacular bottle is testament to Dorli’s hard work and passion for Austrian Blaufränkisch and makes a great introduction to this exuberant style of red. On the nose expect plenty of vibrant red cherry and plump berries seasoned with smoky cedar wood. Smooth tannins and a medium-plus body give this wine structure along with a long peppery finish that leaves you wanting more.