Game in Alto Adige

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Contemplative

Alto Adige's first wine to carry the official Vigna single-vineyard designation (1987 vintage). Pinot Nero from clay-limestone soils on the Mazon plateau, with the north-west facing rows cooled by the Ora wind from Lake Garda.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury

Cantina Nals Margreid's selection Pinot Nero Riserva from the Berg vineyards in Magre near the southern Bassa Atesina end of the cellar's reach. A value alternative to the famous Mazon-zone Pinot Noirs - same Bassa Atesina terroir, lower price.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Bold · Contemplative

Dark ruby with purple highlights Lagrein Gries Riserva: intense dark-fruit, violet and black-pepper aromatics; punchy palate carried by fresh acidity and firm tannins, very coherent.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Bold

Cantina Kurtatsch's flagship single-vineyard Merlot from the Brenntal UGA (Additional Geographical Unit) north of Kurtatsch, one of the warmest sites in Alto Adige (up to 40C). Powerful and dark-fruited yet retains alpine character; the cellar's terroir-emblematic red.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Bold

Manincor's flagship Bordeaux-style cuvee blending Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot from the Castel Campan vineyards above Lake Caldaro. Demeter biodynamic; styled for long cellaring with firm tannin structure and dark-fruited depth.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Bold

Alois Lageder's flagship single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from the spectacular steep slope of Roemigberg above Lake Caldaro. Planted to Cabernet in 1986 and Demeter-certified biodynamic; cherry-red colour with ruby shimmer, concentrated aromatics, full-bodied with elegant present tannins.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury

Peter Dipoli's varietal Merlot from the cellar's southern Alto Adige vineyards. Third of just three wines Dipoli produces, sitting alongside Voglar and Iugum; full-bodied, velvety, structured.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Contemplative

Brilliant ruby red with violet reflections; intense nose reminiscent of forest berries; full-bodied and silky with soft tannins and lively freshness, dark currant and spice on the palate with persistent finish.

Dry · Full-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Bold · Contemplative

Deep dark red Lagrein from Loacker Schwarhof's biodynamic Bolzano vineyards: fruity nose with intense forest fruit, eucalyptus, violet, spice and vanilla; balanced acidity with soft tannins, chocolate and tobacco mid-palate, dark-berry depth.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Bold

Peter Dipoli's Bordeaux-style cuvee blending Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from the cellar's vineyards across Egna, Magre and Cortaccia. One of just three wines Dipoli produces; structured for long cellaring.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury

Alois Lageder's single-vineyard Pinot Noir from the Krafuss Estate on a hilltop in Appiano at 430-450 metres. Garnet with ruby shimmer; pronounced fruity-spicy bouquet, medium-bodied with savoury fruit and silky tannin. The estate is owned by Roland Riz, Alois Lageder's father-in-law.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Bold

Tenuta Kornell's flagship Merlot Riserva from the Kressfeld parcel - the cellar's top offering. Aged in barriques and large oak barrels; full-bodied, velvety and structured for long cellaring.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Bold · Contemplative

Kristan Riserva, Egger-Ramer's noble Mediterranean Lagrein crowning glory from the Kristan vineyard: concentrated dark-fruit and violet, structured palate from extended barrique ageing.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Bold

Colterenzio's Lafoa Cabernet Sauvignon Riserva from the sunny Lafoa hillside vineyard at 430 metres behind the winery; the parcel was developed by replanting Vernatsch to Cabernet Sauvignon to produce a ripe Alto Adige Cabernet.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Rustic · Savoury

Deep purple-red Lagrein from Bolzano at 260 m: violet and chocolate on the nose with ripe damson and spice, elegant velvety structure with tightly knit tannins and subtle bitter almond on the finish.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Bold · Savoury

Cardano Lagrein Riserva from Erbhof Unterganzner: dark-berry and violet aromatics with spice complexity, structured full-bodied palate from barrique and large-cask ageing.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Bold · Rustic

Powerful dark red Lagrein Riserva from old vines: intense berry aromatics, full body, raised in small and large oak for 12-18 months with annual production of 3,000 to 4,000 bottles.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Bold · Contemplative

Dense purplish-red Lagrein Riserva from 24 months in mixed barrique-tonneau-cask: cassis, plum and blackberry with nutmeg and white pepper oak; supple tannins and animated acidity, chocolate and coffee mid-palate, raspberry-blackberry-orange-zest finish.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Bold

Monastery-vineyard Lagrein from Gries-Moritzing: ripe berry and cherry with tobacco, leather and forest-floor spice; convincing structure with integrated acidity and firm tannins, finishing with considerable length.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

Intense garnet single-vineyard Lagrein from the 2.7-hectare walled Klosteranger site behind the monastery: concentrated dark-berry aromatics surprisingly fresh with coffee and raspberry; firm tannins, fresh acidity and elegant depth.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Bold

Lamarein is the flagship Lagrein of Erbhof Unterganzner, the Mayr family's historic farm in Cardano-Cornaiano. The cuvée anchors the cellar's IGT Vigneti delle Dolomiti range.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury

Cantina St. Pauls's Riserva-line Pinot Nero. The name combines 'Lehm' (clay) and 'Mont' (mountain) - indicating the soil and altitude that form the wine. Decisive and persistent finish with classic Pinot Nero structure.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury

Tiefenbrunner's flagship Pinot Nero Riserva from select vineyard sites in Entiklar and surrounds. The Linticlarus selection range delivers complex, elegant wines with extended ageing potential; the Pinot Nero is among Alto Adige's reference single-estate Pinot Noirs.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Bold

Tenuta Ritterhof's flagship Lagrein Riserva, labelled MANUS in the cellar's top Rarus selection range. Deep dark and garnet red with an almost black core; aromas of ripe cherries, wild berries and dark chocolate, with juicy fleshy tannins and fine coffee aromas on the palate.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Contemplative

Manincor's selection Pinot Nero from the Mazzon plateau at 400-450 metres, sourced from the oldest vines in the highest position of the family's four hectares of Mazon Pinot Nero. Demeter biodynamic-certified; described by Manincor as the 'Grand Cru of Grand Cru'.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury

Tenuta Pfitscher's flagship Pinot Nero Riserva from select Pinot Noir parcels in Montagna. Organic; powerful and dark-toned with elegance from the day-night temperature differential. The cellar's calling card from the contemporary ClimateHouse-certified winery.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury

Hofstaetter's Mazon-area Pinot Nero Riserva, sourced from the limestone-sandstone plateau that produces structurally consistent Italian Pinot Noir. Deep ruby-garnet colour, ripe sweet seductive fragrance, with multifaceted notes of forest floor, berries and Amarelle cherry.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Rustic · Savoury

Intense dark ruby Lagrein with violet and rose aromatics, dark-berry palate with velvety tannins and typical acidity. Versatile food wine raised in large oak rather than barrique.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Contemplative

Elena Walch's supreme Pinot Noir achievement, released in limited 3000-bottle allocations and named after the Egyptian sun god. Sourced from vines 15-61 years old at 400-600 metres at Glen and Barleith; clay-calcareous soils, low-yielding French clones.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury

Elena Walch developed Ludwig in the early 2000s as the cellar's everyday-prestige Pinot Nero, named after her husband. The wine is medium-bodied and age-worthy.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Elegant · Contemplative

Intense ruby Pinot Nero from Appiano Monte at 500-600 m: ripe cherry and plum-jam aromatics with walnut and finely integrated oak; elegant structure with soft warm tannins and a delicate mineral persistent finish.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury

Brunnenhof Mazzon's flagship Pinot Nero Riserva from 5 organic hectares on the Mazzon plateau at 400 metres - sandy clay soil, afternoon sun, Ora wind from Lake Garda. The cellar's 'King of Mazon' bottling from north-facing limestone-clay parcels on the Mazon plateau.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury

Franz Haas's flagship Pinot Nero, first vintage 1987 (released 1990). Sourced from vineyards between 350 and 700 metres with high planting density (8000-12500 vines per hectare); the cellar's signature single-vineyard Pinot Nero from the Mazzon zone.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Contemplative

Plonerhof Pinot Noir: cherry aromas with wild-berry flavours per the producer, classic Pinot Noir expression from Marlengo above Merano.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Contemplative

Franz Haas's top-tier Pinot Nero from the Ponkler vineyard at high altitude. Sits above Schweizer in the cellar's hierarchy; small allocations, structured for long cellaring.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury

Cantina Kaltern's Riserva-line Pinot Nero from members' best Pinot Noir parcels around Lake Caldaro. Medium-bodied, round and savoury; demonstrates Schiava's lake-side neighbour has serious Pinot Noir credentials.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury

Cantina St. Michael-Eppan's Sanct Valentin Pinot Nero Riserva from select Appiano microzones at altitude. Selection-tier Pinot Noir from the Sanct Valentin lineup that established the cooperative's international reputation.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Bold · Contemplative

Bolzano-Gries Lagrein from 30-year-old vines across three vineyards: splendid violet, chocolate, licorice and berry aromas with tobacco emerging in age; smooth velvety tannins, fruity character preserved by careful barrique work.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury

Stroblhof's flagship Pinot Nero Riserva, named for Sepp Hanni and bottled from the oldest vines on the south-east facing Stroblhof vineyard at 500 metres in Pigeno (Appiano). The cellar's top old-vine selection.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Bold

Tenuta Kornell's Staffes Lagrein Riserva from the cellar's Settequerce porphyry and limestone slopes near Bolzano. Full-bodied, firm-tannined Lagrein from the historic estate at the foot of Greifenstein castle.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Bold · Contemplative

Lagrein Riserva from Glogglhof's best Lagrein vineyard on Bolzano soils: dark-berry and violet aromatics with elegance and complexity, structured palate from barrique-and-cask ageing.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Bold · Contemplative

Deep garnet Lagrein-dominant cuvee from 50-year-old vines in the Bolzano basin: ripe berry fruit with pepper, clove and graphite, complex barrique-and-concrete raising for 27 months total.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Bold · Contemplative

Taber was launched in 1991 as Cantina Bolzano's flagship Lagrein, drawn from 80-year-old vines in Gries-Moritzing. The cuvée demonstrated that Lagrein could carry extended ageing in French barrique.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Bold

Cantina Andrian's flagship Lagrein Riserva. Founded in 1893, the cellar has aged Lagrein in barrique for decades; Tor di Lupo is the modern expression of that programme, eighteen months in French oak.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Elegant · Contemplative

Cantina Girlan's Pinot Nero Riserva from south-facing porphyry sites in Bassa Atesina and Oltradige at 380-550 metres on clay-limestone and moraine-over-porphyry. Cherry-maraschino aromatics, structured tannic framework; 28-month mixed-vessel oak programme.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Bold · Contemplative

Trigon is Hans Rottensteiner's barrique-aged Lagrein Gries Riserva from selected Bolzano vineyards, in the Cru tier of the cellar.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Contemplative

Single-vineyard Pinot Noir Riserva from the Ganger monopole in Mazon at 360-380 m on calcareous clay: ripe fruit, cherry, sour cherry and wild berry on the nose with marzipan; elegant and refined with good acidity and spicy notes.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Bold

Brunnenhof Mazzon's premium single-vineyard Pinot Noir from the Vigna ZIS parcel, made from highly ripened grapes and aged minimum one year in tonneaux. The producer describes Vigna ZIS as more concentrated, full-bodied and spicier than the Riserva.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Bold · Contemplative

Concentrated, tannic Cabernet Sauvignon-led Riserva with a small Merlot component: intense blackcurrant, elderberry and blackberry aromatics, complexity that develops further through extended bottle ageing.