Grüner Veltliner and oak aging—yes, they go hand in hand, as we can clearly see with this white Hund Gruner Veltliner Reserve from Pfaffl. The grapes are grown exclusively in the Hundsleiten vineyard, hence the Hund designation on the label. This is also one of Pfaffl's oldest and most beautiful vineyards. With an age of up to 40 years, this vineyard produces beautiful, full-bodied, and powerful Grüner Veltliner bunches. The vineyard is located on the Bisambergkette near Vienna. A steep and difficult terrain, but Roman Pfaffl goes above and beyond to produce a top-notch wine. The soil is crucial, consisting primarily of clay, sandstone, and quartz. This is crucial for this wine, as it absorbs many of the soil's influences.
The best Austrian wines from Pfaffl
The Pfaffl winery has focused entirely on winemaking since 1978. The estate is located in Stetten, in the Lower Austria region. This region encompasses the capital, Vienna, and is Austria's largest wine-growing region. The unique loess soil structure and the ideal climate, where warm days alternate with cool nights, ensure excellent grape ripening. The Pfaffl winery was founded over 30 years ago by the Pfaffl family. Roman, as a winemaker, not only has won numerous awards, but the estate has also been named the best in Austria several times! And we couldn't agree more.
The harvest of the Pfaffl Hund Gruner Veltliner Reserve
The harvest begins very early in the morning to prevent the grapes from crushing. After the press has slowly done its work, the golden juice is fermented in oak barrels. Half of the wine is then aged in oak barrels for six months. Pfaffl's magnificent wine cellar offers ample space for wooden barrels and is truly magnificent. A nuanced nose with notes of black pepper, orange, pineapple, and soft citrus fruit, underpinned by a certain minerality. The palate is full and robust, with the wonderful qualities of roundness, complexity, and harmony. Beautiful flavor notes of citrus fruit, red apple, white pepper, a touch of vanilla, and a rich mineral note.