Dark, smooth and deep Lagrein Riserva from the lowlands of Alto Adige

Dark, velvety and mellow, this Lagrein Riserva offers the depth and richness that this grape is famous for. Lagrein is late-ripening, and needs a lot of sunshine to fully develop. The Furggl vineyard is perfect for this. It’s planted on the valley floor, near the Adige river, with a south-east exposure. Because of this, it’s not shadowed by the Alps, and the grapes can ripen well.

Winemaking

Harvest takes place by hand in the first days of October. After pressing, the grapes are fermented on their skins for ten days in stainless steel tanks, at a controlled temperature of 28-30°C. Peter Zemmer uses this relatively high temperature to extract richer colours and flavours from the grapes. After malolactic fermentation, the wine is aged in small 225-litre French oak barriques for 24 months. Finally, this Lagrein Riserva is bottled and stacked in the cellar for at least six months more, to allow the flavours to stabilise and integrate.

Tasting Notes

This succulent Furggl Lagrein Riserva has a deep ruby colour. It’s velvety and soft, offering flavours of ripe black plum, prune, black cherry preserve and dark chocolate, as well as a savoury balsamic note. This wine has a touch of mellow sweetness, but the truth is it’s perfectly dry with only 0.6% residual sugar. Tannins are soft and well-integrated, and the wine is drinkable now, although it can be cellared for at least ten years.

Awards

Robert Parker – 92 points (2018 vintage) | Gambero Rosso – Two Glasses (2017 vintage) | I Vini di Veronelli – 3 stars (2017 vintage) | James Suckling – 93 points (2017 vintage)