Merlot Reserve 2018
QWt Burgenland, Salzl Seewinkelhof, 750 ml
| Grape variety: | Merlot |
| Producer: | Salzl |
| Origin: | Austria / Burgenland / Neusiedlersee |
Description
Wonderfully delicate nose of dried fruits, smoked bacon and herbs, candied strawberries, plum, blueberry, pleasant wood spice. Wonderfully opulent and lusciously fruity on the palate, juicy, dark berry confit, dried plums, herbal spice, a hint of nougat, cassis, velvety tannin structure, balanced texture, orange zest, cocoa and a little thyme, espresso, fine roasted aromas, perfectly balanced with an unparalleled drinking pleasure that lasts a long time!
Attributes
| Origin: | Austria / Burgenland / Neusiedlersee |
| Grape variety: | Merlot |
| Ripening potential: | 2 to 8 years after harvest |
| Drinking temperature: | 16 to 18 °C |
| Food Pairing: | Châteaubriand, Filet Wellington, Roast saddle of venison, Wild specialities, Wild fowl |
| Vinification: | long must fermentation, fermentation in steel tank |
| Harvest: | strict selection |
| Maturation: | in new barriques |
| Maturation duration: | 12 months |
| Volume: | 14.0 % |
| Note: | Contains sulphites |
Salzl
The Austrian winery Salzl Seewinkelhof is located in Illmitz, surrounded by the picturesque lakes and plains of the Neusiedlersee-Seewinkel National Park in Burgenland. A good hour’s drive from Vienna lies this family winery that also provides comfortable 4-star accommodation in an attached guesthouse with a pool.
The history of the winery dates back to 1840. Josef Salzl restructured the winery in the 1980s, focusing on the production of high-quality red wines and thus laying the foundation for today’s success. Since 2005, his son Christoph has also been fully involved in the operation of the winery. He is taking over the business step by step in order to continue the family tradition. Three generations are currently working hand in hand to produce authentic wines with the greatest passion and care according to the motto “enjoyment and joie de vivre”.
Merlot
Everybody’s darling
Merlot is the most charming member of the Bordeaux family. It shines with rich colour, fragrant fullness, velvety tannins and sweet, plummy fruit. It even makes itself easy for the vintner, as it matures without issue in cool years as well. This is in contrast to the stricter Cabernet Sauvignon, which it complements as a blending partner. Its good qualities have made the Merlot famous worldwide. At over 100,000 hectares, it is the most-planted grape in France. It also covers large areas in California, Italy, Australia and recently in Eastern Europe. The only catch is that pure Merlot varieties rarely turn out well. Its charm is often associated with a lack of substance. Only the best specimens improve with maturity. They then develop complex notes of leather and truffles. This succeeds in the top wines from the Bordeaux appellation of Pomerol and those from Ticino, among others.
Burgenland
Burgenland: Reds, sweets and other wonders
Burgenland is often referred to in Austria as the new wine world. In fact, wines – with exceptions like the nobly sweet Ruster Ausbruch – were almost entirely unknown here 20 years ago. Today, the most substantial red wines in Austria mature here. And the sweet wine scene is also stronger than ever before. Even the whites – for instance, in the Leitha Mountains – are on the upswing. The basis for this wine wonder are the various terroirs that overlay the land in a complex patchwork.
Austria
Austria – Sumptuous culture, accessible to all
Austria is characterized by unbelievable topographical diversity. A flat steppe in the east, forests and hills in the Alpine regions, wetlands and Mediterranean landscapes in the south. This in addition to a rich tradition and even greater love. It’s no surprise that the Romans found joy on this patch of Earth and cultivated wine growing. Austrian wine is not abundant, but it is high quality.
