Rottensteiner - Lagrein "Select" Gries Riserva 2015

Rottensteiner, Lagrein "Select" Gries Riserva 2015 (90 TSW)

The Rottensteiner family is one of the oldest in South Tyrol, and its relationship with winemaking has not been interrupted for generations. The surname itself speaks about this, because "stein" from German means "stone", and "rot" means "red". It is the stony soils of red that distinguish the rocky region around Bolzano. The founder of the family business was in 1956 Hans Rottensteiner. In the 80s, his son, Tony, initiated the start of the production of bottled wines, using not only the harvest of his own vineyards, but also 60 local farmers. Since 2001, his son, Hannes, has joined the team.

"Wine is born in the vineyard," so respect for the vine determines the methods of wine-growing. No wine can be bottled until all members of the Rottensteiner family approve it.

Great memories when I opened this Lagrein. First tasted it in Alto Adige (remember @andrewinereviews with mainly primary fruit notes but now 4 years later a great mix of flavours. Lagrein has a good aging potential, at least 5 or 6 years, good vintages even longer.

Hans Rottensteiner, Lagrein "Select" Gries Riserva, Alto Adige DOC is made from a harvest of 3 vineyards located in the center of the Gris region, which is over 30 years old. Warm climate, deep, loose soils and awe-inspiring attitude towards the vine - these are the main ingredients of a good wine from the Lagrain variety. Its velvety, mature taste it receives thanks to the French barriques, in which it spends 12 months aging.

My tasting notes:

In the glass a deep dark rub red color.
On the medium(+) nose aromas of red berries, dark cherries and vegetables with hints of earth, liquorice, leather, smoke and chocolate.
On the palate dry, medium(+) bodied with medium acitiy and well integrated medium tannins. Complex and balanced with a lovely round mouthfeel and a long and pleasant finish.

The “Select” is recommendable with game and spicy meat dishes, as well as with aged and strong cheese.