2021 Weingut Niklas Lagrein, Sudtirol DOC-Alto Adige, Italy (750ml)
About the Icons
Lagrein is an indigenous variety that is often made into a rosé, a dark, intense and tannic "reserve/age-worthy" style wine, or as is the case here, a lighter style medium-bodied young red wine meant to be consumed upon release. Young Lagrein can be a bit off putting with overwhelming tannins, but this Niklas is very friendly and drinkable with slightly chalky tannins on the finish. It has a light plummy fruit flavor as well as a savory quality that makes it a great pairing with braised meats and rich tomato based pastas, a platter of charcuterie, or a mushroom risotto. Completely overdelivers for the price point.
Producer Notes, with some amusing translations - "An elegant red wine with an identity of its own combining the best in terroir with our wine-growing tradition. A typical wine from Alto Adige. As rooted and powerful as a steer. Color: dark ruby red. Aroma: velvety fruit notes of blackberry and wild berries. Taste: rustic elegance; medium – bodied on the palate with velvety tannins. The location, the soil, and the climate fulfill all the natural prerequisites for optimal grapes and typical wines. But it’s the personal style and passion of the cellar-master that put their stamp on the final product and breathe life into the wine. We have a long tradition, but also make use of advanced techniques and designs. Wine connoisseurs will find the Niklaserhof the ideal place to deepen their understanding of wine and learn about the process of wine-making in a small, family-operated wine-growing estate."
