Prieler, Johanneshohe Blaufrankisch, Burgenland

UNP. Color garnet. Nose started out reductive so decanted thru vinturi. Nose has dense blueberry and pepper and light VA note. Swishing shows mostly acid structure and compact fruit that leads into softly tannic finish. Sipping shows this to be really quite dense and polished blueberry dominant fruit, with good balance between the fruit and structure, with structure totally taking the back seat. Was the perfect foil tonight for flank steak and shishido peppers. The cool thing about this wine …

Coming right into form just about 15 minutes after pulling the cork. A well made rounded out Blau, if not the most hedonistic or compelling version I have ever had. But very tasty.

Very dark cherry red color; savory, tart red fruit, mineral nose; tasty, savory, tart red fruit, mineral palate; medium-plus finish 91+ points

Aromatics between a Pinot and cab franc. Had floral and violet components. Flavor - pretty high acidity, lighter in color, very restrained without loads of fruit.

My second encounter with Prieler and I realize that we will develop a longstanding friendship. Entry level Blaufränkisch at 11 euros. Great value for money. For those who are not familiar with the style, BF is in the same vain as a Valpollicella. This one is full of fruit, red berries and a grassiness that resembles Loire Cabernet Franc. Might be oaked, but if so the oak is elegantly hidden and contributes to the overall picture. Paired with a filet …

Casa Sena Tasting, November 2011 (La Casa Sena retail shop, Santa Fe, NM) : Different lot than prior bottle. Seemed more elegant. Cab Franc & Pinot characteristics. Earthy finish, mouth watering. Cherry, tobacco, eucalyptus, violet.

My first Blaufrankisch and very pleased. Bramble and earth and berries, great consistency throughout the bottle; v good balance of fruit acids and tannins. Had with pork belly; companions had with wiener schnitzel. Terrific food wine of high quality

Reminds me of a hypothetical Loire Cab Franc with a splash of New World Pinot. Nose of cherry, tobacco and violets. Mid-weight with med/high acidity on the palate. Primary fruit with earthy tobacco finish and a hint of brine. A bit of tannin, but nothing to get in the way of drinking over the next few years. More linear than rounded in flavor arc. Great character and quality for the price level.

Displaying a very balanced palate with pretty secondary/soily notes. Very nice.

2010 Vintage Germany and Austria: Terry Theise and WineWise/The Vienna Wine Company Trade Tasting (Hawthorne Room, Golden Gate Club, San Francisco Presidio, California) : Dark ruby color; tart black fruit, pepper, charcoal nose; tart red fruit, currant palate; medium-plus finish

2008 Weingut Familie Prieler Blaufränkisch Johanneshöhe (Austria, Burgenland, Neusiedlersee-Hügelland); 13 pabv; $23/750 ml; Winds Wine Cellar, Yellow Springs, OH; Skurnik/Theise. Dark red-purple with a bit of fading right at the edge. Wine has cherry and lightly floral aspect, moving toward menthol and anise notes. Some mild tar and spice; scents are intense yet delicate. The wine has truly high-toned floral and anise-like notes, with a fairly gentle yet well-focused texture, with very fine, ripe tannins and a lovely spicy resolution …

Austria Uncorked (SLS Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA) : Nose of potting soil and minerals. Acid driven with nice mineral content. Tight and clean. Very food friendly and could get better if the fruit has enough concentration to open over the next couple years.

Very nice fruit and minerality. Nice freshness. Paired well with honey ham dinner.

Cherry fruit and lots of stone in the nose. very nice and harmonious expression. a dark aspect to the fruit. pepper and herb on the palate.

This is the sort of red I need a lot more of in my cellar - gorgeous aromatics that start out with deep red and dark fruits and a vivid gravelly minerality, then develop with air taking on leathery and herbal scents. Very fresh, elegant and polished in the mouth, conveying flavour with a gentleness and finesse that makes me think of really good Burgundy or Chinon - fantastic wine.