Gesellmann Bela Rex 2018
Type: Red
Country: Austria
Region: Burgenland
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Viticulture: Certified Organic
Ratings: 96-98 Falstaff
Climate: Hot, continental Pannonian climate
Terroir: The vines are 30 – 40 years old and planted on a mixture of gravelly loess and calcareous loam
Winemaking: All grapes are picked by hand, starting in September with Merlot, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon at the beginning of October. The separate parcels and grapes are vinified separately with spontaneous fermentation on the skins taking place in stainless steel with regular punching down. Malolactic conversion follows in oak barrels. The wines mature separately for 25 months in small oak barrels, then blended, then matured for another 6 months in large wooden barrels.
Color: Dark ruby with purple highlights
Nose: Complex aromas of subtle nougat, ripe dark berries, fig and candied orange zest and sandalwood spice
Palate: The palate reveals ripe wild cherries, with juicy acidity and well-rounded tannins
About the Winery:
The estate was first mentioned in 1767, but it attained its peak when Engelbert Gesellmann planted international varieties in the mid-1980s and experimented with ageing in barrique casks and wooden casks.
With 28 hectares of vineyards on loamy, gravelly hills Weingut Gesellmann is small enough to keep every single grape under control. And big enough not to be forced to use every one of them. The luxury of selection is the fundamental basis for the best wines. In some of the vineyards, selection takes care of itself, since the vines are over eighty years old and produce only minimal yield. 90% of the vineyards are reserved for blue grapes.
