Heinrich Graue Freyheit 2024

Weingut Heinrich, run by Gernot and Heike Heinrich, is one of Austria's leading biodynamic estates, working the Leithaberg and Neusiedlersee around Gols in Burgenland. Graue Freyheit is a blend of Chardonnay, Weissburgunder and Pinot Gris, with the Pinot Gris grown on crystalline and quartz schist on the Joiser Hackelsberg and the other two on limestone and schist on the eastern Leithaberg. These hard mineral soils give the wine a firm, savoury backbone. The grapes are macerated on their skins and the wine is aged in clay amphora, where porous walls allow gentle, controlled oxygen exchange without the flavour of oak. That slow oxidative ageing, combined with skin-contact tannin, builds the wine's structure and its amber colour while keeping the fruit clean and precise. The colour is a brilliant amber. The nose shows apricot, green apple and orange peel over beeswax, almond and dried herbs. The palate is dry and textured, with fine tannin, a honeyed depth and a long, savoury finish. Serve at 12 to 14 degrees in a wide glass.