I was fully absorbed during the last few days to lead the tastings in Alto Adige. Just now, I have time to describe some of the excellent wines I had the opportunity to taste there.
Cantina St. Michael Eppan, Weissburgunder St. Valentin 2010: fresh with a creamy texture, very long and intense. Multilayered yellow fruit, lemon, savoury herbal scents with a lovely minerality.
Cantina Terlan, Pinot Blanc Vorberg 2010: very fresh and focused, lemon, Mirabelle, quince, minerals. Subtle tertiary notes with a long mineral finish.
The 2018 and 2017 versions of both wines were also first class, with comparatively less oak character and volume. I particularly liked the 2017 Vorberg with its straightforward character.
Ritterhof Gewürztraminer Auratus Crescendo 2018: This wine seduces with its intense but incredibly subtle fragrance of English roses. Delicate nose, powerful on the palate with pleasant bitter nuances in the finish.
Hofstätter, Vigna Rococolo Pinot Noir 2014: powerful yet multilayered cult Pinot Noir. Still youthful with delicate ripe cherry fruit, cranberries and sweet oak spice. Silky tannins and an excellent length.
Cantina Girlan, Pinot Noir Vigna Ganger 2016. Ripe, dense cherry, vanilla and toasted aromas, long and intense.
Muri Gris Lagrein Klosteranger 2015: Top Lagrein with loads of blackberry, chocolate and a long-lasting mineral finish. Dense with a beautiful freshness and fine-grained tannin.
Kornell, Merlot Kressfeld Riserva 2015: Powerful, dense, multilayered fruit impressions of plum, fig, cherry, blackberry, plus tobacco, vanilla and liquorice. Refined tannins and great length.
