Cantina Terlano Lagrein Gries Riserva 2018 (Italy)

Description

• French oak
• Plum jam
• Dark chocolate
• Velvet texture

"The alluvial soils in the Bolzano suburb of Gries are ideal for the indigenous red Lagrein wine, which is mentioned in a historical document dated 1379. Our Lagrein Gries is impressive for its fruity berry aromas as well as for its noble spicy notes and juicy balanced body" Rudi Kofler

Deep ruby to garnet red with a delicate shimmer of violet. The aroma reveals earthy, minerally notes masterfully underpinned with fruit components, with morello cherry, dark chocolate and plum jam dominating. These spicy and yet velvety fruit notes also intrigue the palate, where this Lagrein Riserva presents itself with multilayered opulence and great complexity.

2018 could be defined as "extreme" - from a meteorological point of view - because it was characterized by a snowy winter and a rainy March, conditions that allowed an excellent water supply for the vines. Due to cooler temperatures in early spring, new shoots on the vines appeared in mid-April, later than the previous year. However, the continuation of the season was marked by an almost summery climate, alternating with heavy rainfall, which ensured rapid phenological development of the vines- first inflorescences started blossoming at the end of May. A hot June ended with a strong hailstorm, causing damage in some of our vineyards. Damage that our producers promptly repaired with great diligence and commitment. The months of July and August were characterized by a great heatwave without precipitation, interrupted by heavy rains in early September. As in 2017, the harvest began on 22 August. Overall, the vintage is satisfactory both in terms of quantity and quality of the wines produced.

Manual harvest and selection of the grapes; destemming followed by slow must fermentation at a controlled temperature and gentle agitation of the must in stainless steel tanks; malolactic fermentation and aging for 12 months partly in big wooden barrels (50%) and partly in barriques using one third new barrels (50%); blending three months before bottling.

Food Pairing: Combines well with roast chamois with root vegetables and with veal cheeks braised in Lagrein and served with root vegetables.