In the glass
Aroma: ripe cherry, rose, violet, humus, chocolate
Palate: dark berry, velvety opulence, cocoa
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.
What it pairs with
-
Braised beef cheek
The Lagrein's firm tannins and ripe-cherry core lock into the gelatinous fat of slow-braised cheek. -
Venison ragu
Humus and chocolate notes echo the game's earthy register. -
Aged Trentino cheese
Crystallized aged cow's-milk salt sharpens the wine's dark-berry fruit. -
Speck and rye bread
Smoky cured ham finds a peer in the wine's cocoa and barrique spice.
How to serve Taber Lagrein Riserva
Allow 90 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 60-90 minutes before serving for vintages under ten years old; decant to soften the firm tannins.
- Serve at 16 to 17 degrees. The producer specifies 16 degrees C; warmer pushes the 14% alcohol forward and dulls the violet aromatics.
- Use a large Bordeaux glass. The wide bowl rewards the wine's barrique structure and Lagrein's dark-cherry lift.
- Pair with red meat or aged cheese. Braised beef cheek, venison ragu, or aged South Tyrolean Bergkase match the wine's tannin and humus register.
History
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 serious barrique without losing its characteristic violet-and-cherry signature, and the cuvée has been widely recognised since.
- 1991 — First vintage released as a single-vineyard barrique Lagrein
- 2008 — Cantina Produttori Bolzano and Cantina Gries cooperatives merged, consolidating the Taber project under one cellar
Facts
- Producer
- Cantina Bolzano
- Grapes
- Lagrein
- Classification
- DOC Alto Adige
- Oak
- Approximately 12 months in French barriques following traditional red wine fermentation in wooden vats
- ABV
- 14.0%
- Price
- EUR 45-60 at retail
- Drinking window
- 5-20 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1991
Frequently asked about Taber Lagrein Riserva
What does Taber Lagrein Riserva taste like?
An impenetrable garnet wine: ripe cherry, rose and violet on the nose with humus and chocolate; the palate is velvety and powerful with persistent elegance and firm tannins.
When should I drink Taber Lagrein Riserva?
Drink between 5 and 20 years from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 60 minutes of decanting; the wine holds at 14% alcohol with around 2 g/l residual sugar.
What food pairs with Taber Lagrein Riserva?
Braised beef, venison ragu and aged South Tyrolean cheese are canonical matches. Speck with rye bread is the regional pairing.
How is Taber Lagrein Riserva aged?
Approximately twelve months in French barriques after traditional fermentation in wooden vats, drawn from 80+ year-old Lagrein vines in Gries at 270 m elevation.