9 products
9 products
- Red Wine
- Blaufränkisch
- Biodynamic, Natural, Organic
- Dry
- Light Bodied
- 750ml
- 12.5% alc./vol
About the Winery
Markus Altenburger
The Altenburger family has farmed land in and around Jois since the 16th century. Their vineyards are only half an hour from Vienna, but seemingly in another cosmos altogether.
Markus is fascinated by Blaufränkisch – the red grape of Burgenland. He works with massal selections from his Gritschenberg vineyard's old vines. There, loose clusters and small berries are well adapted to the dry Pannonian summers. The grapes express the schist for fruiter wines charming in their youth, as well as the limestone, for length and structure. The wines express this tension, the influences of limestone and schist soils, and something of the wild abundance of nature, as well.
Since Markus took over his family’s estate more than a decade ago, he’s moved from what he calls “well-behaved wines” to those that are much closer to nature and bear a far more personal stamp. In the cellar, he favours native yeasts, minimal added sulphur, long, protective lees contact, and concrete and neutral wood for ageing.
Press Reviews
Wine Align
92 points - Sarah d'Amato
An aromatically engaging blaufränkish brimming with botanicals, mineral and ripe red fruit. Pepper, graphite and refreshing acidity liven the palate. Elegant but spirited with great depth of flavour and an appealing crunchiness. Youthful yet ready to drink with a memorably salty finish. Best now to 2026. Tasted August 2023.
91 points - Michael Godel
Biodynamically farmed blaufränkisch and from the Altenburger who have been present in this land so near to Vienna since the 16th century. The soils are calcareous loam and the wine may be natural though it is anything but sweetly, peaty or sweaty funky. The vintage has surely determined great ripeness and the sour-edgy acidity is in total command. This may just be a quintessential Austrian food wine with a cool Leithaberg breeze that looks for warm broth, soft dumplings and preferably braised meat. Will age for a few years without turning. Drink 2023-2026. Tasted August 2023.
91 points - David Lawrason
This is a fairly deeply coloured and ripe blaufrankisch that shows a rich nose of raspberry/plum with well integrated violet and spice. Very appealing aromas if not intense. It is medium weight with lively, almost juicy acidity, some alcohol warmth (12.5%) and fine but gritty tannin. The length is excellent. I would age it a couple of years although I like its exuberance now as well. Tasted Sept 2023
- Sparkling Wine
- Grüner Veltliner
- Biodynamic, Natural, Organic, Vegan-Friendly
- Dry
- Light Bodied
- 750ml
- 10.5% alc./vol
About the Winery
Matthias Hager
The Hager Matthias winery is located in the small village of Mollands in the Kamptal area of Lower Austria. Matthias took over the 12-hectare land and the family business at an early age. He aims to produce the best quality wine possible and to focus on being in balance with nature. The lands are cultivated according to biodynamic principles and are certified Demeter. Matthias has a vast knowledge about plants and insects, and about keeping the flora and fauna in harmony with the vines. Matthias Hager is one of the most experimental winemakers in the Kamptal region, Austria. He understood early how to work with different soil types from loess to clay. He established different product lines to highlight these differences: the blue one representing fresh, lively wines including Grüner Veltliner and Sauvignon Blanc; and the brown line gravitating towards more earthy, flavourful produce and the red line stands for no sulphites!
Press Reviews
Wine Align
91 points - Michael Godel
Made from grüner veltliner, low alcohol, dry and about as transparently crystalline as it gets for Pét-Nat styled sparkling wine. This a factor of spontaneous fermentation with only natural yeasts hanging out or rather laying low in the bottle to keep things lively and fresh. Does not get much cleaner or pick me up revitalizing in the category and so the price may be steep but the quality and satisfaction run high. Drink 2023-2025. Tasted August 2023.
91 points - David Lawrason
This intriguing pet-nat has a fairly reserved yet rich nose of yellow plum, caraway, lemon, hay and vague honey. Not a lot of leesy character here. It is medium bodied - weightier than expected - with brisk acidity and effervescence. Flavours are intense, the finish is almost tannic and quite bitter. The length is excellent. Tasted Sept 2023