The Pfaffl family's passion for Austrian winemaking was immense, prompting Roman and Adelheid Pfaffl to buy a farm at a young age. The farm is located in Stetten, a village just north of Vienna in the Weinviertel region. Initially, grains and potatoes were also grown there, alongside grapes, but thankfully, that's no longer the case. The young couple captivated the world with their wines, and their success didn't go unnoticed, as they even received the Winery of the Year award from Wine Enthusiast. Today, they continue to produce exquisite wines, including this latest Pfaffl Chardonnay Vom Haus.
Wood aging for the Pfaffl Chardonnay Vom Haus
For this top-quality Chardonnay wine, we travel to Lower Austria, near the capital, Vienna. This is where the old vineyards for this Chardonnay are located. The vineyard is unique and provides Pfaffl with a magnificent harvest, thanks in part to the perfect climate. The many hours of sunshine contribute to the perfect ripening of the grapes. But even more important is the coolness necessary for this superb harvest. A cool breeze blows through the vineyards all day, and nighttime temperatures drop quickly, allowing the Chardonnay grapes to ripen evenly. When Pfaffl deems the Chardonnay grapes ripe enough, they are harvested by hand and transported in small crates to the Pfaffl cellars. There, half of the wine is aged for several months in large acacia barrels. And yes, that's what makes a wine to rave about.
Full and very powerful this Pfaffl Chardonnay Vom Haus
As soon as the bottle is opened, we smell the oak aging, abundant tropical fruit, vanilla, and a hint of peach. Pouring, we see a golden yellow color that clings beautifully to the glass. Nosing the glass, we noted nuances of pineapple, pear, vanilla, and ripe banana. We take a sip, and this Pfaffl Chardonnay Vom Haus takes us to a high point. Beautiful notes of butter, cinnamon, tropical fruit, and a touch of fresh yellow cream. What a powerful wine with a very pure character and a true asset to Pfaffl's wines.