Blaufränkisch—Austria’s noblest red variety, prized for its cool‑climate acidity, fine tannins, and mineral‑driven depth—finds its most profound expression at Moric. Roland Velich’s mission has always been radical in its simplicity: Blaufränkisch treated with the same intellectual and aesthetic seriousness as Grand Cru Burgundy. The 2021 “Blaufränkisch Reserve” is the purest articulation of that vision—old‑vine fruit from Neckenmarkt and Lutzmannsburg, organically farmed, fermented with native yeasts, and aged for two years in large neutral barrels. With 95‑point praise from top critics, it stands as a defining benchmark for cool‑climate red wine.
In the glass, the wine immediately evokes Northern Rhône Syrah in its deep ruby‑purple hue and aromatic intensity: blackberry, pomegranate, grilled herbs, violets, and licorice rise from the glass with a dark, savory allure. But the palate is where the Burgundy comparison becomes irresistible. Despite its brooding fruit profile, the wine moves with silky, Grand Cru‑like precision, layering spice, minerality, and fine‑grained tannins in a way that feels more Vosne‑Romanée than Mittelburgenland.
For buyers who gravitate toward Burgundy, Côte‑Rôtie, Cornas, or top‑flight German Pinot Noir, this is essential. Moric’s 2021 Reserve delivers the same terroir transparency, aromatic complexity, and age‑worthy architecture that define those categories, yet with a uniquely Austrian soul. It is one of the most compelling expressions of Blaufränkisch on the planet—an international benchmark that rewards both curiosity and connoisseurship.