Bründlmayer Extra Brut
Pinot Noir 50%, Chardonnay 50%,
Extra dry sparkling wine is regarded as a service to a steadily growing community of enthusiasts who sometimes enjoy the puristic way. It emphasizes and more so than the classic “Bruts” the character of grapes and soil.
Grapes are selected in September, when acidity and maturity have reached their perfect point for the base wine for our sparkling production. These grapes are sourced from different chalky parcels in our vineyards which lends the wine freshness and while most of the sites are southeast facing slopes, the wine also receives warmth. The harvested grapes are transported in small cases directly into the cellar, where they are very gently and carefully pressed.
Only the heart of the must is used for the sparkling production. It ferments in stainless steel where it also undergoes malolactic fermentation before being racked into used 300 l (or 2500 l) Austrian oak barrels with about 10% of the lees.
In the following year, the base wine is bottled together with some sugar and yeast for the secondary fermentation and gets 18 to 36 moths of yeast contact before the process of remuage. During the month-long process of remuage the sediment that forms during secondary fermentation is maneuvered into the neck of the bottle and up against the cork through riddling from time to time by hand.
Disgorgement is done without freezing the bottleneck and its content.
92 p. Robert Parkers "The Wine Advocate", May 2014, review by David Schildknecht
Almond and hazelnut-tinged, honeysuckle and heliotrope-garlanded apple and quince inform the nose as well as a subtly creamy, silken and clearly lees-enriched yet delicate palate. Piquancy of apple pip adds to the stimulation administered by a long finish.
91 p. Wine Enthusiast, November 2014
Restraint on nose and palate gently leads to citrussy concentration. This is a classy, concentrated selection, with a backbone of fine acidity and very fine, persistent bubbles - both are the must-have attributes of a good apéritif. The long, dry finish will impress those in the know.
Tasting note:
Light pale yellow; fine and persistent mousse; pure elegant nose , fragrant fruit (apple, quinces, hay flowers and white berries, lemon peel, accompanied by pleasant toasty, yeasty and mineral aromas, quite complex, crisp yet also slightly creamy on the palate with again persisting fruity and mineral elements; fresh but well integrated acidity , mineral and spicy (peppery) nuances in the end (Viktor Siegl).
Best to drink after some months until about one year or two years after disgorgement.
