In the glass
Aroma: lingonberry, blackberry, green tea, white pepper
Palate: dark fruit, velvety tannin, balanced acidity, long finish
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.
What it pairs with
-
Slow-braised short ribs
Brenntal's velvety tannin and dark fruit suit slow-cooked beef; the wine's full body matches the dish's richness. -
Aged Trentino Grana
Mature alpine cheese matches the wine's depth; balanced acidity keeps the pairing fresh. -
Lamb shoulder with rosemary
The wine's white pepper and dark berry register flatter slow-cooked lamb; firm tannin frames the fat.
History
Cantina Kurtatsch developed the Brenntal Merlot Riserva in the early 1990s, sourcing exclusively from the south-facing Brenntal slope on red sandy loam, which is among the warmest sites in Alto Adige (220-300 metres). The Brenntal terroir is the cellar's emblematic warm-site expression.
- 1990 — First Brenntal Merlot Riserva vintage
Facts
- Producer
- Cantina Kurtatsch
- Grapes
- Merlot (100%)
- Classification
- DOC Alto Adige Merlot Riserva
- Oak
- Approximately eighteen months in French oak barriques (mix of new and used)
- ABV
- 14.0%
- Price
- EUR 35 to 55 at retail
- Drinking window
- 6 to 22 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1990
Frequently asked about Brenntal Merlot Riserva
What does Brenntal Merlot taste like?
Lingonberry, blackberry, green tea and white pepper on the nose; dark fruit, velvety tannin, balanced acidity and a long finish on the palate. Full-bodied, dry, with firm tannins and high acidity.
When should I drink Brenntal Merlot?
Drink between 6 and 22 years from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 60-90 minutes of decanting; cellared bottles develop tobacco, cedar and complex savoury depth.
Where is Brenntal?
The Brenntal UGA (Additional Geographical Unit) sits north of Kurtatsch village at 220-300 metres on red sandy loam. It is among the warmest sites in Alto Adige (up to 40C in summer) while still cooled by evening alpine breezes.