BUYING GUIDE - Wine Enthusiast Magazine

87
Muri-Gries 2010 Lagrein Kretzer Rosé
(Alto Adige). The bouquet is marked by a
steady stream of bright raspberry, rose, wild berry and
bitter almond. It’s sassy crispness on the finish should
pair well with cheese or mayonnaise-based appetizers.
Polaner Selections. —M.L.
abv: 13% Price: $18
86
Josef Weger 2010 Lagrein Rosato Rosé
(Alto Adige). Pressed from Lagrein grapes
native to northern Italy, this bright rosé offers an easy,
crisp finish with tones of wild berries, peach and pink
grapefruit. Magellan Wine Imports. —M.L.
abv: 13% Price: $19
84
Cielo e Terra NV Deor Raboso Rosé Spago
(Delle Venezie). This pale-pink sparkler,
with large, chunky bubbles, offers aromas of mature
berry, violet and rose. It’s an easy wine that should be a
good apéritif. —M.L.
abv: 10.5% Price: $13
NORTHEAST ITALY
RED WINES
ALTO ADIGE
94
Colterenzio 2007 Lafòa Cabernet Sauvignon
(Alto Adige). This is an elegant and
streamlined Cabernet Sauvignon, with dark chocolate,
rosemary, black fruit and spice. It has a thick structure,
with lovely intensity and length. Cellar Selection.
—M.L.
abv: 14% Price: $92
93
Alois Lageder 2008 MMVIII Merlot (Alto
Adige). This cool-climate Merlot opens with
aromas of bright cherry, chocolate and a shading of
toasted espresso. It’s opulent and complex, with length
and intensity—but it’s never over the top. Dalla Terra
Winery Direct. Cellar Selection. —M.L.
abv: 13.5% Price: $48
92
Alois Lageder 2006 Cor Römigberg Cabernet
Sauvignon (Alto Adige). A pure expression
of Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a lush and beautiful
wine, with thick layers of red fruit, chocolate, spice
and tobacco. The mouthfeel is firm, streamlined and
very nicely held together. Dalla Terra Winery Direct.
—M.L.
abv: 13.5% Price: $50
91
Alois Lageder 2008 Krafuss Pinot Noir
(Alto Adige). This is a pure expression of
Pinot Noir from one of Italy’s first organic and biodynamic
wine producers located in the far, mountainous
north of the country. Aged in oak barrique, the wine
is elegant, fine and silky, with beautiful aromas of wild
berry, almond, cola and herb. Dalla Terra Winery Direct.
—M.L.
abv: 13% Price: $50
91
Alois Lageder 2006 Krafuss Pinot Nero
(Alto Adige). Pretty aromatic layers of mint,
cola, almond paste, blueberry and currant mark this
48 | WINE ENTHUSIAST | JULY 2012
wine. The mouthfeel is silky and clean, and there’s a
bright note of acidity on the finish. Dalla Terra Winery
Direct. —M.L.
abv: 13% Price: $50
91
Niedermayr Josef 2008 Riserva Pinot
Nero (Alto Adige). Here’s a beautiful and
well-executed Riserva Pinot Nero that shows balance,
complexity and a wide array of wild berry, cola, spice
and toasted-almond aromas. There’s also a refreshing
touch of chopped mint and basil on the crisp finish. Opici
Wines. —M.L.
abv: 13.5% Price: $57
91
Tenuta Klaus Lentsch 2008 Bachgart
Riserva Pinot Nero (Alto Adige). This is
gorgeous, offering intense and complex aromas of wild
berry, violet, candied fruit, almond paste and garden
herb. The mouthfeel is silky, long and penetrating. New
Amsterdam Imports. —M.L.
abv: 13.5% Price: $30
91
Tiefenbrunner 2008 Lintictarus Riserva
Pinot Nero (Alto Adige). Bright and beautiful,
this caresses the palate with its smooth and silky texture.
The wine’s aromas include wild berry, violet, wet
earth, cola and toasted nut. It finishes structured, crisp
and refreshing. Winebow. —M.L.
abv: 14% Price: $35
90
Cantina Produttori San Michele Appiano
2008 Riserva Lagrein (Alto Adige). Not
well known in foreign markets, Lagrein is a traditional
grape found in the far north of Italy. This Riserva is a
expression, with impressive intensity and bright aromas
of blackberry, cola and plum. The mouthfeel is soft, velvety
and long. Martin Scott Wines. —M.L.
abv: 13.5% Price: $NA
90
Josef Weger 2007 Maso delle Rose Pinot
Nero (Alto Adige). A bright and elegant red
wine with a crisp, silky mouthfeel. The bouquet is redolent
of wild berriey, white almond, chopped mint and
spice. This should pair with honey roasted ham or wild
turkey. Magellan Wine Imports. —M.L.
abv: 13.5% Price: $35
90
Kellerei Kaltern Caldaro 2009 Saltner Pinot
Nero (Alto Adige). This is a pure expression
of Pinot Nero from arguably one of the best cooperative
wineries in northern Italy. It is silky and smooth,
with flavors of wild berry, cola, chopped mint and blue
flower. The finish is fresh and bright. Omniwines Distribution.
—M.L.
abv: 14% Price: $24
90
Niedermayr Josef 2008 Gries Riserva Lagrein
(Alto Adige). This is delicate and subdued,
without any of the rawness this variety sometimes
provides. Flavors of cola, blackberry and spice mark the
palate; the finish is soft and rich. Opici Wines. —M.L.
abv: 13.5% Price: $57
89
Abbazia di Novacella 2008 Praepositus
Riserva Lagrein (Alto Adige). The wine has
a dark, inky appearance, with bold nuances of blackberry,
plum and black cherry on the bouquet. This oak-
aged effort should pair well with lasagna or grilled sausage
and polenta. Vintage Epicure. —M.L.
abv: 13.5% Price: $40
89
Alois Lageder 2007 Lindenburg Lagrein
(Alto Adige). Aged in French oak, this offers
rich flavors of black fruit and plum followed by a medium,
bright finish. Pair this wine with pork or grilled
lamb chops. Dalla Terra Winery Direct. —M.L.
abv: 13% Price: $40
89
Franz Haas 2009 Pinot Nero (Alto Adige).
Elegant, spicy and fresh, this shows tones of
wild berry, forest floor, chopped herb and mint. The
mouthfeel is silky, clean and easy. Winebow. —M.L.
abv: 13.5% Price: $50
89
Manincor 2009 Mason Pinot Nero (Alto
Adige). This delivers a delicate bouquet of wild
berry, white cherry, peppercorn, dried mint and forest
floor. The aromatic intensity of this ruby-colored wine
is intense and pure. Angels’ Share Wine Imports, LLC.
—M.L.
abv: 13% Price: $38
88
Abbazia di Novacella 2010 Pinot Nero
(Alto Adige). Elegant, fine and silky, this delivers
notes of wild berry, cherry cola and dried herb.
The wine’s texture is smooth and long. Vintage Epicure.
—M.L.
abv: 13% Price: $20
88
Colterenzio 2010 Pinot Nero (Alto Adige).
This is a beautiful wine at an very attractive
price. It’s redolent of blueberry, dried mint, cola,
almond and forest berry. Empire Merchants. Editors’
Choice. —M.L.
abv: 13.5% Price: $18
88
Franz Haas 2009 Lagrein (Alto Adige).
Ripe fruit, blackberry, cherry liqueur and cinnamon
characterize this hearty red. It finishes with notes
of tobacco, plum and exotic spice. Winebow. —M.L.
abv: 13.5% Price: $36
88
Josef Weger 2009 Lagrein (Alto Adige).
This bold red has an inky, dark appearance,
with ripe aromas of moist earth, tobacco, blackberry,
peppercorn and bitter almond. The finish is plush and
smooth. Magellan Wine Imports. —M.L.
abv: 13% Price: $21
88
Nals Margreid 2009 Pinot Nero (Alto
Adige). Pretty flavors of forest berry, cola and
almond lead into a silky, menthol finish. Pair this with
wild turkey or delicate ravioli stuffed with minced veal.
Massanois Imports. —M.L.
abv: 13% Price: $23
88
Nals Margreid 2009 Aus Gries Lagrein
(Alto Adige). This delivers a playful touch of
sweetness in the mouth, with bold aromas of blackberry,
plum, spice and leather. It shows harmony, with a
velvety mouthfeel. Massanois Imports. —M.L.
abv: 13.5% Price: $23
88
Peter Zemmer 2008 Pinot Nero (Alto
Adige). Dark and earthy, this has flavors of wild