Juris Pinot Noir Selection – Awesome Austrians Wine #7

100% Pinot Noir from Neusiedlersee, Burgenland, Austria.

SRP of $25 and available for as low as $20 (Saturday Splurge). Sample submitted for review.

From the winery:

“Made from a selection of younger plantings approximately 15 years in age. This pure international expression of Pinot Noir relates stylistically to those of Oregon’s, Willamette Valley or France’s Burgundy. A long and dry 2010 vintage allowed for easy ripening but without acidity falling out. After a healthy native fermentation lively aromatics of wild strawberry suggest a much bigger wine than what’s actually in the bottle. The color is also darker than you might expect from the old world, but isn’t the result of long cold soaks or heavy-handed extraction but instead a reflection of the Austrian terroir. Gravelly and sandy soils dominate lending a sweet earthiness. Wherever a slight carmelization or sweet nutiness wishes to be highlighted or a savory element balanced, this goes where other Pinot Noirs cannot.

13.0% Alcohol”

Even if Pinot Noir wasn’t currently grown in Austria, it would still be intimately intertwined with Austrian wine being one of the parents of St. Laurent, which in turn is one of the parents of Zweigelt. Lucky for us Pinot Noir IS grown here and based on the success of its offspring, it certainly makes sense that it would do well, but it represents a tiny amount of the wine produced. Today’s wine, while still being a Saturday Splurge, is one of the more affordable options available.

The 2010 Juris Pinot Noir Selection begins with a very earthy aroma along with wild cherry, strawberry, raisins and cranberries. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect based on the bouquet but this is one tasty wine! It’s not nearly as earthy in the mouth as it smells, but the earthy character is definitely still there and it interacts nicely with the ripe and juicy fruit. It is also very smooth, savory and easy to drink with a nice finish. If you think you know Pinot Noir then you definitely need to get to know Austria and the Juris is a great place to start!

Wine in the Awesome Austrians series:

• 2010 Zantho Zweigelt – A perfect wine for Thanksgiving dinner.
• 2011 Laurenz V. Singing Gruner Veltliner – At this price it just might make you sing!
• 2010 IBY Blaufrankisch Classic – A Beauty From Burgenland.
• 2010 Laurenz V. Charming Gruner Veltliner – Smooth and Steely.
• 2009 Meinhard Forstreiter Zvy-Gelt Zweigelt – Fresh From The Garden!
• 2010 Juris St Laurent Selection – Pinot Noir’s deep, dark and savory love child finds a home in Austria.
• 2010 Juris Pinot Noir Selection – Think you know Pinot? Then you need to get to know Austria.

See a listing of local retailers selling this wine here.

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