Moric, Blaufränkisch For Cheap

Moric, Blaufränkisch

Native to eastern Austria, as well as parts of Hungary and elsewhere in central/eastern Europe, Blaufränkisch shares some genetic lineage with Pinot Noir and some character traits with great Cru Beaujolais and Northern Rhône Syrah. What we’ve always appreciated about Moric’s standard-setting Blaufränkisch is its seamless melding of dark, snappy fruit and profound mineral depth. There’s so much power and energy in this wine, and yet it is light on its feet and immensely refreshing—joyful and serious at the same time, and not to be missed because of that. Oh, and it’s also an incredible value (another driver of its popularity with sommeliers). We’re convinced you will flip for it, too!

Moric’s Roland Velich is an internationally recognized wine celebrity for his work with old-vine Blaufränkisch in Austria’s Burgenland region. His reds, including several single-vineyard bottlings of the variety, are widely considered to be the Gold Standard in the appellation. 

Vine age for this ‘entry-level’ bottling ranging from eight to 50 years. This wine is fermented in a mix of open-topped wooden vats and stainless steel tanks, then aged in a mix of used cooperage of various sizes for about a year. Bottled without fining and filtration and with only a minimal sulfur addition, the wine is beautifully pure and soil-expressive, with terrific freshness. Inky in the glass—a deep ruby leaning to purple/black, reminiscent of Northern Rhône Syrah. The nose also hints at Northern Rhône, with aromas of blackberry, pomegranate, grilled herbs, violets, and licorice, but also veers into Cru Beaujolais territory. Because of its appearance, you’ll be expecting a “big” wine, but while the fruit is dark, even black, it is presented with great freshness and lift. Its acidity, warm spice, and modest alcohol make it a great companion to American style BBQ!