Bruno Landauer - Merlot Ruster Spätlese - 2023

From the slopes of Rust, in Burgenland, this Merlot benefits from a terroir particularly well suited to sweet wines. The vineyards, set on the sunny hills around Lake Neusiedl, enjoy a microclimate where Pannonian, Mediterranean and continental influences meet. The limestone soils, mixed with primary rock and quartz, give the wine lovely finesse and a distinctive aromatic expression. This setting, combined with long autumn ripening, allows the Merlot to reach remarkable concentration while retaining a balancing freshness. The grapes are picked late, several weeks after the main harvest, once the berries have reached full ripeness. The winemaking relies on a fermentation that stops naturally, retaining some of the residual sugar and giving birth to this sweet red wine. The estate thus seeks a particularly fruity and aromatic expression, without favouring an oaky style. This Spätlese, made from late-harvested grapes, is an original interpretation of Merlot, geared more towards freshness, deliciousness and fruit intensity. This wine reveals notes of ripe plum, blackberry, black cherry and blackcurrant, accompanied by hints of violet, candied fruit and a delicate touch of caramel. On the palate, the texture is sweet, dense and generously fruity, with a velvety texture that coats the palate. The natural sweetness is balanced by enough freshness to keep the whole lively. The long, indulgent finish extends the flavours of black fruit and gives this cuvée a profile as original as it is appealing.