HEINRICH Burgenland St. Laurent 2007 Producer Gernot Heinrich has 60 hectares of vines in Gols, Burgenland, which is Austria.s easternmost province, lying only a few kilometres from the Hungarian border. After graduating in viticulture from Klosterneuberg, Gernot.s vinous travels in Bordeaux, Spain, California and Italy convinced him that his best approach in this continental climate was to use indigenous grapes such as Blaufränkisch, St Laurent and Zweigelt to make the highest quality, most characteristic wines he could. Vineyards Heinrich.s top red wines are produced from grapes grown in the Salzberg and Gabarinza vineyards. Soils here are limey gravel and loam. The continental climate, with the hot summers and cold winters of the Hungarian steppes, and the light loamy soils near the lake provide good conditions for grape growing. A fresh, northeasterly wind ensures the relatively high rainfall in the area does not cause the grapes to rot. The vineyards are 140m above sea level, with Pinot Noir, St Laurent and Syrah on the higher slopes and Blaufrankisch and Zweigelt on the heavier soils lower down. The vines for this wine are aged between 5-35 years old and are located at different optimum sites of the Heidelboden between the Parndorfer Platte and Lake Neusiedl (the Neusiedlersee). St Laurent is related to Pinot Noir but ripens earlier than Pinot and has thick skins that makes it not only resistant to rot, but also capable of giving wines with good colour and structure. Vinification Harvested by hand at the beginning of September 2007. Selection was done in the vineyard, with very careful follow-up selection in the winery on the sorting belt. The grapes were processed by gravity (without the use of pumps) and spontaneous fermentation occurred in steel tanks at 28 to 32°C with pumping over. Maceration lasted for three weeks and malolactic fermentation took place in once-used barriques. The wine was aged for 15 months and bottled with glass stoppers on March 2, 2009. Tasting Notes Deep ruby-garnet in colour with a soft touch violet tints. The nose delivers aromas of dark berry fruit, fine vegetal spiciness, a touch of licorice and a bit of grapefruit zest. The palate is juicy with notes of fine forest berry jam and delicate citrus fruit. Fresh acidity and a lovely cherry finish. Harmonious and animated - a perfect food companion. Awards SILVER - Decanter World Wine Awards 2010 Find this wine at www.winestore.co.uk Price: £135.37 (Including VAT at 20%)