In the glass
Aroma: smoke, saffron, candied ginger, beeswax
Palate: honey, dried apricot, saline minerality, white pepper
Tramin's late-harvest Gewurztraminer aged for nearly ten years inside the Schneeberg silver mine at 2000 metres altitude before release. Off-dry, intensely mineral, with botrytis-adjacent honey and saffron notes; among the more rare aromatic whites in Italy.
What it pairs with
-
Aged Camembert or Brie
Mature white-rind cheeses meet the wine's honeyed weight and saline finish. -
Pan-seared scallops with curry butter
Sweet shellfish and curry spice find a peer in the wine's saffron and ginger register. -
Smoked duck breast with quince
The wine's smoke note (from extended mine-cellaring) echoes the duck's char; quince mirrors honey and dried fruit.
History
Tramin created Epokale as a hyper-limited project: late-harvest Gewurztraminer hand-carried into the abandoned Schneeberg silver mine at 2000 metres and aged in bottle inside the mine for approximately ten years. Released only in select vintages. The 2009 was the first vintage; James Suckling awarded the 2009 Epokale 100 points in 2018.
- 2009 — First Epokale vintage hand-carried into Schneeberg mine
- 2018 — James Suckling awards Epokale 2009 a perfect 100-point score after release
Facts
- Producer
- Cantina Tramin
- Grapes
- Gewuerztraminer (100%)
- Classification
- DOC Alto Adige Gewuerztraminer Spaetlese
- Oak
- Twelve months on the fine lees in stainless steel, then approximately ten years of bottle ageing inside the Schneeberg silver mine at 2000 metres before release
- ABV
- 14.0%
- Price
- EUR 180 to 250 at release
- Drinking window
- 5 to 30 from vintage
- First vintage
- 2009
Frequently asked about Epokale Gewurztraminer Spaetlese
What does Epokale taste like?
Smoke, saffron, candied ginger and beeswax on the nose; honey, dried apricot, saline minerality and white pepper on the palate. Off-dry, full-bodied, with high acidity and an exceptionally long finish shaped by ten years of mine-cellar ageing.
Why is Epokale aged in a silver mine?
Bottles are hand-carried into the abandoned Schneeberg silver mine at 2000 metres altitude and aged for approximately ten years in the constant cool temperature and high humidity. The slow oxygen exchange shapes the wine's smoke and saffron notes.
When should I drink Epokale?
Released after 10 years of mine ageing, the wine is drinking-ready on release and will hold another 15-20 years. Serve at 11-13C in a wide tulip glass.
What food pairs with Epokale?
Aged Camembert, scallops with curry butter, or smoked duck with quince. The wine's off-dry sweetness and saline finish flatter rich, spice-led dishes.