Lukas Strobl, Lust Ureki 2021

Place: Wagram, Austria

Grape: Cabernet Franc

Vibe: Unbelievable

I didn’t think Cab Franc from Austria would be in pole position for one of my wines of the year, but the world is full of surprises. From the first sniff, I knew I was in trouble. Big trouble. Instantly reminding me of the wines of Clos Rouegard. I’ve tasted in the legendary cellar, sorry not sorry, and this would not have looked out of place in the slightest.

Picked from just four rows of recultivated, old Cabernet Franc vines in the Mordthal site in Rupperstal, on poorer loess but with very sunny exposure. Only 24 bottles in the UK, and I begged for as many as we could get. Sadly, just 3. Ripe berries on the nose, whilst the palate shows serious varietal typicity. There is tannin but things are soft and supple. Exceptional use of barrel and long elevage. Straddling the perfect balance between ripeness and a cool climate frame. A truly exceptional bottle, don't sleep on it. Gonna age forever and ever too. ABV: 13%