CWD: '01 Schwarz Zweigelt 'W' , an Austrian Red

[drssouth]

2001 Schwarz Zweigelt 'W' Red Table Wine, alc 14%, $55...still dark red in the glass with a little clearing at the edge, no browning....nose is cherry and a hint of expresso/mocha....the palate is bright and fruit driven with minimal sweetness and a crisp crunchy type of texture...really quite nice and approachable....reminds me a little of a JP Brun Pinot Noir a couple of years ago (maybe a stretch)....no wood showing and mostly resolved tannins....more "French" than "American" in character....glad I have a couple of other bottles....did well with food

A little background from Larry Meehan at Gang of Pour...
This Austrian red is the creation of Hans Schwarz, but since the winery's inception, Alois Kracher and Manfred Krankl have consulted. In a recent e-mail exchange with Krankl, he described their relationship as one of friendship -- "Schwarz does make the winesand we just help him a bit with advice and ideas."

 

[Eden Mylunsch]

Schwarz throws a nice backyard get-together every year after Vie Vinum. Nice guy, knows lots about meat and enough about wine to know whom to listen to for advice. His wines tend to be on the big side but not overtly so, as if they're pushing the envelope but not enough to force you to put extra stamps on it.

-Eden (I sure wish the Hungarian band he hires would at least try to play in tune one of these years)