TOP wine in the Vinaria Wine Guide 2024/25
“The family winery run by Michael Kirchknopf has developed into a model business in recent years. The range of white and red wines is well structured and is offered under the Leithaberg DAC designation of origin. Michael Kirchknopf’s impressive winemaking philosophy is reflected in a well-balanced symbiosis of pointed site interpretation with a purposeful winemaker’s signature for authentic growths. Sustainability is a matter of course, as is a minimally invasive vinification method for both white and red wines. Spontaneous fermentation, whole-cluster pressing, malolactic fermentation and ageing on the lees take place either in steel tanks or in wooden barrels of various sizes. Sulphurization is only applied in very small doses shortly before bottling.
The focus in the white area is on the Burgundy varieties Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay and Neuburger, which demands a lot of care from the winemaker. The single-vineyard Chardonnay varieties impress in unison with plenty of structure and substance in the best terroir interpretation from the top sites in Kleinhöflein and Großhöflein. The plots in the Tatschler vineyard are located in the upper area with a higher proportion of limestone, which is reflected in the wine style of the Chardonnay with plenty of taut fruitiness and the finest finesse. The Blaufränkisch Ried Reisbühl, which represents Kirchknopf’s quality pyramid in the premium red segment, shines with authentic fruit clarity. Michael Kirchknopf shows that Merlot delivers excellent results on the slopes of the southernmost Leitha Mountains with a very fruity and pointed interpretation of the variety.”
★★★ Weissburgunder Alte Reben Leithaberg DAC 2023
Beguiling stone fruit nose, yellow peach, nut bread, incredibly juicy, taut fruit, pointed, smoky hints, fine acidity, harmonious, finishes with a lot of piquancy, great length.
★★★ Neuburger Tradition Leithaberg DAC 2022
Yellow-fruity entrée, ringed lime, light walnut, some bergamot, ripe apple, lots of extract, juicy, clear as a bell, powerful, nuanced, finely structured acid-fruit interplay, harmonious mid-palate, creamy finish, great varietal interpretation.
★★★ Chardonnay Kalk & Schiefer Leithaberg DAC 2022
Herbal-spicy nose, lots of juicy yellow fruit presence, ringlet, pear, harmonious with verve, slate-influenced characteristics, spicy finish, great length.
★★★★ Chardonnay Alte Reben Leithaberg DAC 2022
Fine exoticism on the nose, pineapple with a cool touch, yellow fruit, passion fruit, pink grapefruit, attractive tension, balanced, dense, lots of finesse, harmonious, compact into the long finish.
★★★★ Chardonnay Ried Tatschler Leithaberg DAC 2021
Fine brioche nose, orange zest, juicy and generous fruit, ripe fruit components, pineapple, lime zest, fine acid piquancy, multi-layered, substantial, perfectly structured, taut chalky impression, salty, long finish, great.
★★★ Merlot Alte Reben 2022
Leafy notes on the nose, juicy, wild berries, powerful, strong, straightforward style, spiciness complementing the fruit, juicy, tobacco notes, vital.
★★★ Blaufränkisch Kalk & Schiefer Leithaberg DAC 2021
Bouquet of cherry, delicately smoky, red berry aromas in a velvety style, juicy, vital, slate-like notes, Chinese pepper, transparent fruit, balanced, long.
★★★★ Blaufränkisch Ried Föllikberg Leithaberg DAC 2021
Red berry fruit piquancy, black cherry, peppery spice, dark fruity aromas, shows fruit charm in a cool impression, profound, from a single mold, seductive chocolate-cherry notes in the long finish.
★★★★★ Blaufränkisch Ried Reisbühl Leithaberg DAC 2021 – Vinaria TOP wine
Black cherry aromas, juicy wild berries, dark fruit with lots of finesse, fine texture, perfectly structured, delicate tobacco notes, profound, flows in calm and harmonious greatness, lots of potential, long.
