SALON 2011

Eleven in a Row for Weingut Heinrich Hartl III

Heinrich Hartl from the Thermenregion in Austria has been making wine for 11 years. He’s won a place in the SALON Austrian Wine Awards 11 years in a row has now taken first place in the SALON for the third year running.

Heinrich Hartl’s Pinot Noir Graf Weingartl 2008 emerged from the SALON Austria Wine Awards 2011 as the highest-rated wine in its category and has given the young winemaker from Oberwaltersdorf his third SALON victory in a row. The 31 year-old has been in charge of winemaking at his family estate for 11 years and for 11 years in a row one of his wines has reached the SALON. A passionate ambassador of the Burgundian varietals, his 2011 victory was the second time that his Pinot Noir Graf Weingartl, which has been produced as a single-vineyard wine since 2007, has been voted the outright winner. The 2008 edition is characterised by a silky elegance with aromas of forest berries and forest floor, cedar and coffee, firm acidity, subtle fruit, tremendous length and great ageing potential.

For many years the winery’s honour roll has also included highly-respected international awards. Recent successes include a silver medal for the Rotgipfler 2010 at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2011 and for the St. Laurent 2008 at this year’s International Wine Challenge in London. On the occasion of the tenth anniversary of “Observer Food Monthly”, Hartl’s Rotgipfler 2009 was rated as one of the “Observer 10 Wines of the Decade”. The Pinot Noir Reserve 2006 is currently rated among the 20 best Austrian wines.

The wines from Oberwaltersdorf have borne Heinrich Hartl III’s signature for quite some time now. Now the winemaker, the sixth generation of his family to run the 40 acre property, is putting his personal stamp on the winery’s corporate identity. Old maps of the region form the basis for a complete re-launch under the label HH3.

More than 7,000 wines were tasted by a specialist jury for the SALON Austrian Wine Awards. 260 of these made it to the final list, divided into 16 categories. Hartl’s Pinot Noir was named the best of its variety. The “toughest competition for Austrian wines” – according to the Austrian Wine Marketing Board – was first held in 1987 and counts as the national championship for the country’s best producers. Together with his partner Marie-Sophie Lodron, Heinrich Hartl is on the winner’s podium for the third time in a row. The winning wine is available to be tasted throughout Austria as part of the SALON presentations.

Cellar door price for the Pinot Noir Graf Weingartl 2008: € 19,50. Supply is limited.
Orders at +43 (664) 212 4589 or via email at hh3@weingut-hartl.at

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