Nibiru 'Grundstein' Blauer Portugieser Kamptal DAC 2023

The village of Thürneustift is among the most northern villages in the Kamptal, and the wines from the area reflect a cooler-toned, elegant edge that is refreshing - on many levels - in a warming viticultural world. Josef Schenter and Julia Nather tend 8 hectares of vineyards that are certified both organic and biodynamic (Demeter), with an eye towards achieving true holistic farming in the near future using permaculture and regenerative agricultural practices. Josef’s winemaking is likewise done in a low-intervention manner, as all fruit is hand-harvested, fermentations take place spontaneously, and sulfur is applied minimally on a case-by-case basis. The wines are bottled without fining or filtration. The name Nibiru comes from Sumerian mythology, where it refers to the name of a planet that crosses into our own solar system only once every 3000 years, traveling the opposite direction as the rest of the planets. Josef and Julia felt that this symbolically represented the difference between their winemaking approach and the classical, often overbearing historical traditions of the Kamptal. But that doesn’t mean these wines aren’t serious: clean and nuanced, with northern Austrian character front and center, they are also relaxed and easy drinking, as this Blauer Portugieser handily demonstrates. Made from 20 year old vines from the single vineyard Bernthal, this was made in a semi-carbonic method, with 50% destemmed and 50% whole cluster berries, in stainless steel tank. This often-overlooked central European variety really shines here, with a lithe, bright frame and notes of black currant, wild blueberry, black pepper, and cool mint. Easy-drinking for sure, but its complexity evokes Morgon on more than one level. Beaujolais fans, take note! Certified organic, biodynamically grown, low-intervention/natural wine.