Muhr-van der Niepoort Blaufränkisch Carnuntum 2008 - Austria, Niederösterreich, Carnuntum; 12% abv
This was a rather charming wine, a collaboration between Dorli Muhr and Dirk van der Niepoort. It is elegant and has some nice red berry aromas, pleasantly herbaceous but with much ripe fruit (so much so, that I'm surprised at the low alcohol). Crisp but fruity palate, primary, crunchy, balanced. Nice stuff, but could use a bit more age.
Prieler Blaufränkisch Oggau 2006 - Austria, Burgenland, Neusiedlersee-Hügelland
This was a sample of a new wine from Prieler from Oggau, so there wasn't even a finished label: no abv, the "Oggau" written in pen. But it was a pretty impressive wine. I don't know what sort of oak this sees, but there is a slight smoky scent - nothing to worry about, since the lovely, dark berry aroma isn't obfuscated at all. It is, perhaps, a bit stemmy? I would love to find out if stems are used since the palate also has the sort of grip and crunch I often notice when stems are included. But it isn't a tannic monster, though it does have pleasant rigidity. More full bodied than the Muhr-van der Niepoort and so different that it's difficult to believe that they are made from the same grape. Nice.