In the glass
Aroma: cherry, laurel, cacao bean, red berry
Palate: concentrated, fine spice, structured
Deep luminous ruby cellar-aged Santa Maddalena: aromas of cherries, laurel and a hint of cacao beans; expressive red-berry and cherry, concentrated with fine spice and structure, fine tannins ending in a lengthy red-berry finish.
What it pairs with
-
Hearty alpine cuisine
Producer-recommended pairing; the wine's red-berry and cocoa register fits Tyrolean fare. -
Mediterranean roast
Producer-recommended Mediterranean pairing; the wine's fine spice meets herb-roasted meats. -
Asian exotic-style dishes
Producer notes silky tannins shine with Asian and exotic preparations. -
Aged hard cheese
Crystallised Bergkase sharpens the cuvee's cacao-and-cherry depth.
History
Der Pfannenstiel is Pfannenstielhof's library-format Santa Maddalena: extended 4.5-year ageing in stainless steel followed by six months in bottle. The 2019 vintage took Decanter World Wine Awards Platinum and was named the regional best red.
- 2010 — Der Pfannenstiel library-aged Santa Maddalena established
- 2019 — 2019 vintage named Best Red of South Tyrol at the Decanter World Wine Awards
Facts
- Producer
- Pfannenstielhof
- Grapes
- Schiava (95%), Lagrein (5%)
- Classification
- DOC Alto Adige Santa Maddalena
- Oak
- 4.5 years in stainless steel followed by 6 months bottle ageing
- ABV
- 13.0%
- Price
- EUR 32-48 at retail
- Drinking window
- 5-15 from vintage
- First vintage
- 2010
Scores
- Decanter World Wine Awards (Platinum) 97 (2019 vintage, reviewed 2025)
Frequently asked about Der Pfannenstiel
What does Der Pfannenstiel taste like?
Deep ruby with cherry, laurel and a hint of cacao beans on the nose; expressive red-berry and cherry on the palate, concentrated with fine spice and structure, fine tannins ending in a lengthy red-berry finish.
When should I drink Der Pfannenstiel?
Drink between 5 and 15 years from vintage. The wine is drink-ready upon release but benefits from extended cellaring; the 4.5-year steel ageing already builds significant depth.
What grapes are in Der Pfannenstiel?
95% Vernatsch (Schiava) and 5% Lagrein, identical to the Classico and Annver but with radically longer ageing.
Why is the Vernatsch aged 4.5 years?
The extended steel ageing demonstrates Vernatsch's capacity for serious cellar work - traditionally written off as a young-drinking variety. The 2019 vintage's Decanter World Wine Awards Platinum medal underlines the approach.