Felix "Blau" Blaufrankisch, Mittelburgenland, Austria NV

FROM WINEMONGER:

THE WINE: This is a wine about family. A wine for weeknight dinners and sipping with friends. Made for us from Stefan Wellanschitz's (of Kolfok fame) family estate. It is Blaufrankisch from 15-45 year old vineyards in Unterpetersdorf in the Neckenmarkter mountains, where his Mother is from. The soils are clay and basalt, which impart a wonderful minerality. Everything about it speaks to tradition and provenance, from the family vineyards to the large 1500-3000 liter barrels made by a local cooper from trees in the Waldviertal used vintage after vintage. Organic farming, native yeasts, no fining, and minimal amounts of sulphur. The Felix Blau is a wine we are absolutely delighted to have as a part of the Winemonger portolio.

THE PRODUCER: The Felix line of wines is produced by the Wellanschitz winery in Mittelburgenland, a well known estate of roughly 40 hectares. The son of the estate, Stefan Wellanschitz, started his own brand and winery Kolfok, a producer we have carried for some time. While the Kolfok wines are truly avant-garde, the wines of his parents' estate are a tad more traditional, but certainly within the same vain of wines with a Burgundian character. Think food wines, with good tannin structure and acidity, wines that live from tension, good fruit and traditional winemaking techniques. Organic farming, old vineyards and fantastic terroir do the rest.