Bioweingut Johannes Zillinger 'Revolution' Red Solera NV

Multi-vintage is a strange concept. You’ll see it used occasionally for Champagne and other process-driven wines, but it’s pretty rare to see a winery making a complete cuvée entirely centered around the idea of blending vintages. That being said, Johannes Zillinger doesn’t do anything by the book.

Every bit of the Zillinger vineyards are farmed biodynamically–there’s an inordinate amount of attention paid to every little detail. Cover crops, insect life, seasonal rhythms, all are taken into account. These vineyards are healthy, and healthy vineyards produce balanced grapes and dynamic wines.

Zillinger’s wines are unique expressions from Austria–not exactly a place you expect red wines to have this level of character, depth and intensity. We loved this wine when we first tasted it, and were surprised when we found out it was based on Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine has an energy that defies description. It definitely has the weight and plushness of Cabernet, but it also drinks bright and finishes light on its feet.

This Zillinger Solera is a deep, inky red. On the nose there’s a lovely divide between fruit and earth. A strong sensation of graphite, violets and crushed red currants jumps out of the glass, followed by blackberry, huckleberry and bay leaf.

Pair this with red meats, anything smoked, or anything cooked over open flame. Cabernet likes hearty preparations, and this one is nice because it’s not a total sledgehammer of a wine.