Family Reunion Rot - 2016
Gut Oggau
Gut Oggau's iconic Rot 2016 (aka 'Family Reunion') is characterful & bold, yet equally fresh & easy-drinking at the same time.
The 2016 vintage has probably been the most challenging in the young history of the Gut Oggau winery. Spring frosts and hail in summer plagued the winegrowers, leaving less than 40% of the harvest.
Autumn, however, was conciliatory and delivered top quality, but too little to bottle the family members individually. So winemakers Stephi and Eduard had to let go of that idea and dazzle the remaining wines. Not many winegrowers act with such a clear head, but they knew that if you are making natural wine, you have to work with what nature gives you.
In the Gut Oggau Rot 2016 three family members stick together. The fruity and juicy Atanasius (Blaufränkisch, Zweigelt), the wild Joshuari (Blaufränkisch) and the sublime Bertholdi (Blaufränkisch). Together they make a spicy, gripping red wine with a lot of ageing potential.
The plots combined have an average age of 40 years old and are spread over limestone, slate and gravel soils.
The blend is aged in large 500 litre barrels for one year, left without any batonnage and finished with no added sulphur, at any stage.
Ratings
Bold and delicious. Bursting with cherry, cherry pie, mushrooms, earth, and leather. While it’s a bit heavy and stuffy on the palate, it remains surprisingly juicy and easy-going. Honestly, I doubt ageing would help (and that goes for most Gut Oggau wines) as it already shows signs of becoming a bit tired.