Claus Preisinger - 'Edeluftgrasundreben' - Grüner Veltliner - Leithaberg, Burgenland, AT - 2018

Drew's Notes: Holy Sh•t. You just have to try this wine to understand. It's a skin contact wine but the opposite of "natty" this is so classically elegant and refined. I am transported by it. Soft reduction gives an essence of energy to it, the palate is endless, the fruit is sublime. It's just effing great stuff. Not cheap but a deal at twice the price... if you catch my drift!

*Appellation: *Leithaberg
*Vineyard: *Edelgraben, Purbach am Leithaberg *Age of vines: *38 years
*Soil: *Limestone and slate
*Orientation: *South, southwest
*Farming Practice: *Certified biodynamic
*Vinification: *Unfined and unfiltered
*Fermentation: *Spontaneous fermentation
*Elevage: *Aged for eight months in 1000 liter amphora *Alcohol: *> 11%
*Acidity: *> 5 g/L
*Residual Sugar: *< 1 g/L

*Malolactic: *Yes

A surfer at heart, Claus Preisinger has been making wine on the north shore of Lake Neusiedl in the Burgenland town of Gols since 2002. He converted the vineyards and winery to biodynamic production in 2006, and is Respekt Biodyn certified. Claus vinifies mostly domestic grape varieties such as Blaufränkisch, Zweigelt, Grüner Veltliner and St. Laurent, supplemented by Pinot Noir and Pinot Blanc from both the west and east sides of Lake Neusiedl. Claus does not use any cultivated yeast, and only very slight or no dosing of sulphur dioxide. He ages many of his wines in amphora rather than wooden barrels, which he views as a conscious step back, a reduction to the essential - the grape and the soil. Reduction, minimalism and a free spirit are the guiding themes of Claus Preisinger.
-Volker Wine Imports