Delicious wines can be found from unusual places. Höpler’s 2010 Pannonica Red hails from the vineyards of Burgenland — on the west shores of the Neusiedlersee, a shallow lake that borders Austria and Hungary. The Pannonica is a skillful blend of Blaufränkisch, Zweigelt and Pinot Noir, with the finished wine being greater than the sum of its components. This is a delicious, silky-textured red that shows beautifully now and has the capacity to age for another five years. The bouquet is intriguing and complex, with luscious black cherry, raspberry and blueberry fruit tones backed by elements of lilac, cocoa and allspice. The flavors are multilayered and smooth, with the blend of red and black fruits deliciously interwoven with the cocoa and spice hints. It’s a treat that will surprise you with its depth and complexity.
Höpler, Burgenland (Austria) 2010
By Wayne Belding