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Drink it now or cellar for up to 15 years. No need to decant but best to open it half an hour before service. Markowitsch is an Austrian family winery, located in the heart of the Carnuntum region, in Göttlesbrunn. The company, which owns about 65 hectares of vineyards, is today managed by Gerhard with his daughter who carry out a philosophy of sustainable agriculture and apply organic cultivation standards. Zweigelt grapes are selected and hand-picked from the Kirchweingarten vineyard, located below the church of Höflein, on a gentle slope, 180-190 meters above sea level. Here, the southwest exposure and the clay soil favor the production of robust, fresh, and very concentrated wines. After harvesting and spontaneous fermentation, the wine rests for 1 and a half years in oak barrels. Ried Kirchweingarten 1OTW Erste Lage is a lively and characterful wine. On the nose, it reveals a ripe and broad aromatic profile with notes of berries and dark fruits followed by spicy hints. On the palate, it is round and juicy, fruity and balanced. It has good concentration and smooth tannins. The finish is long and gently spicy. It is a wine with a good structure that requires pairing some rich food like hearty red meat stews or mature cheeses.