2020 Weingut Schwarz The Butcher Cuvee Rot

The 2020 Weingut Schwarz The Butcher Cuvée Rot is a bold, characterful red from Austria’s Burgenland that offers serious quality with an unpretentious, drink-now charm. Crafted for pure enjoyment yet layered with depth, this cuvée has become highly sought-after among wine lovers looking for top value in premium Austrian reds. Its signature ‘Butcher’ identity pays homage to the winery’s origins, combining craftsmanship, authenticity, and a generous, crowd-pleasing style. Blending Zweigelt (60%), Blaufränkisch (20%) and Merlot (20%), the Butcher Cuvée Rot brings together native Austrian and international varieties for a complex but harmonious profile. The wine spends 12 months in used barriques, adding subtle structure and spice without overwhelming the fruit. Born from a family estate once run by an actual butcher, this cuvée encapsulates the estate’s evolution from traditional craft to modern cult favorite, now enjoying a real hype among fans of characterful, value-driven red wines.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2020 Butcher Cuvée Rot shows a dark ruby red core with youthful purple-violet highlights, hinting at both concentration and freshness. The nose opens with an inviting mix of red and dark fruits—think red berries and ripe blackberries—layered with notes of roasted nuts, dried herbs, orange peel and warm spice. On the palate, this is juicy, supple and highly drinkable, with a core of vibrant fruit supported by ripe, well-integrated tannins. The twelve months in used barrique bring a gentle touch of vanilla and subtle oak complexity without masking the varietal character. Medium to full-bodied, it balances richness with freshness, finishing with a smooth, lightly spicy aftertaste that invites another sip. Enjoyable now for its generosity and approachability, it also has the structure to evolve positively for another 4–6 years under good cellaring conditions.

Production
The Butcher Cuvée Rot is sourced from vineyards in Burgenland, one of Austria’s warmest and most renowned red wine regions, where the combination of sunshine, moderating influences from nearby lakes and varied soils gives excellent ripening conditions for both native and international varieties. The grapes—Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch and Merlot—are harvested with careful selection to ensure optimal maturity and healthy fruit. After fermentation, the wine is aged for 12 months in used barriques, allowing it to gain texture, polish and subtle complexity while preserving the purity of the fruit and the distinctive character of each grape in the blend.

Food & Serving
This cuvée is a natural partner for hearty, flavourful dishes—ideal with grilled or roasted meats, charcuterie, burgers, sausages, and of course classic butcher’s cuts like ribeye, lamb chops or pork shoulder. It also pairs well with rich pasta dishes, roasted vegetables, and semi-hard cheeses. Serve at 16–18°C to highlight both its fruit and spice components. A short decant of 30–45 minutes helps the aromas open up and rounds out the tannins, especially if you are serving it in its youth.

Producer
Weingut Schwarz was founded by Hans Schwarz, who began his working life as a genuine village butcher before turning his passion for vines into a full-fledged winery. The family had long tended vineyards, but it was Hans’s decision to bottle under his own name that transformed the estate into one of Burgenland’s most talked-about producers. The Butcher line was created as a tribute to his roots and quickly grew into a cult series, celebrated for its drinkability, distinct personality and strong price-quality ratio. Today, Weingut Schwarz holds a respected place in Austria’s red wine scene, known for crafting approachable yet serious wines that reflect both tradition and a modern, quality-driven mindset.

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