Shelley Morrill

9.0

Definite repurchase. My cousin picked it out — a month ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Elena Walch, Vigna Castel Ringberg Pinot Grigio 2023. Alto Adige DOC, Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
A single-vineyard 100% Pinot Grigio from the Castel Ringberg site in Alto Adige, showcasing depth, structure, and vineyard character far beyond the typical expectations of the variety. This is not a neutral, simple expression, it is layered, textural, and architecturally composed, demonstrating power and harmony in equal measure.

Aromas & Flavors
Ripe pear, yellow apple, and lime blossom lead the aromatic profile, followed by subtle sage, alpine herbs, and a delicate mineral undertone. The fruit is generous yet precise, with floral lift and savory nuance adding dimension.

Mouthfeel
Structured and commanding, yet elegant. Creamy texture and density provide weight without heaviness, while vibrant acidity keeps the wine lifted and focused. The finish is persistent, layered, and beautifully integrated.

Food Pairings
Seared scallops, roasted chicken with herbs, mushroom risotto, alpine cheeses, grilled prawns, or creamy pasta dishes.

Verdict
A commanding, character-driven Pinot Grigio that completely redefines the category. Powerful yet refined, textural yet precise, this is a benchmark single-vineyard expression that showcases Alto Adige’s serious white wine potential.

Did You Know?
Castel Ringberg is one of Alto Adige’s most prestigious vineyard sites, benefiting from significant diurnal shifts that preserve acidity while allowing full phenolic ripeness, a key reason this Pinot Grigio shows such depth and structure.

🍷 Personal Pick
This is Pinot Grigio in a different league, structured, serious, and unapologetically expressive. A reminder that this grape, in the right hands, can be profound. — 4 months ago

Ted

8.9

Had to try another red from Alto Adige. Stuff is really good. More dark chocolate than Friday’s wine. Very dark in color. Becoming a fan. — 7 months ago

with Jeni

Nancy Schnur

9.2

Excellent recommendation from R Fields Kailua — 2 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

Pale lemon with stone and citrus fruit aromas, spice and floral notes. On the palate flavors of ripe fruit peaches and pears with citrus zest and pepper tones. Medium+ finish, good balance with lively acidity, rich mouthfeel ending with fruit, spice and floral character. — 4 years ago

David Shaw

8.9

Pale gold with a tinge of orange. Floral aroma. Strawberry, cherry, peach and white pepper flavors. Crisp. Mercifully dry — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Interesting blend of mostly Chardonnay adding Gewürztraminer and Sauvignon Blanc, medium vibrant lemon yellow color, with aromas of complex fruits, nutty and floral notes. On the palate flavors of pineapple, apricot and citrus with cinnamon, honey and floral spice. Long finish ending creamy with juicy fruit, almonds, citrus and mineral notes. Will age a bit, but nice now! — 4 months ago

Megan

9.3

Waitrose. Strong but smooth — 4 months ago

Henry Luiker

9.3

Only a touch less panoramic perhaps than the recent 2010 of this. A little browning, probably still at its peak. Seems to respond better to gradual airing in the bottle or glass than being poured into decanter. $190 from Winestar. — 5 months ago

Chris MacLean

9.1

I’ve never had a bad bottle of this stuff — 8 months ago

with Sarah

Joanne Franzel

9.0

Pale yellow good bite Sam brought it and he always brings good stuff — 2 years ago

Kurt Schmidt

8.9

Fruity with strong body and clean finish. Ausgezeichnet — 4 years ago

Peter Stern

8.9

Light but flavorful low-alcohol Italian quaffer. Excellent. — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Bright golden lemon color with aromatic aromas of stone, citrus and tropical fruit, floral notes. On the palate flavors of ripe fruits, apple, orange and mango, crisp and dry with honeysuckle notes. Medium+ finish, vivid acidity, ending with fruit and floral character. — 4 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

8.9

Elena Walch, Lagrein 2021, Alto Adige DOC, Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
100% Lagrein, an ancient indigenous red variety from Alto Adige in northern Italy. Known for its deep color, firm structure, and bold alpine character, Lagrein thrives in the gravelly soils around Bolzano. This expression shows the grape’s dense fruit profile balanced with mountain-driven freshness.

Aromas & Flavors
Dark plum, wild cherry, and blackberry with subtle earthy undertones. Hints of cocoa and spice emerge with aeration.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and structured with dense fruit concentration. Noticeable acidity through the mid-palate adds lift, while a slightly astringent finish provides grip and food-friendly tension.

Food Pairings
Roasted meats, venison, grilled sausages, mushroom dishes, alpine cheeses.

Verdict
Deep, impactful, and structured yet approachable. A classic northern Italian red that shines more at the table than as a standalone sipper.

Did You Know?
Lagrein is genetically related to Teroldego and is one of the oldest recorded grape varieties of Alto Adige, historically grown around the Lagrein district near Bolzano.

🍷 Personal Pick
A powerful alpine red with depth and character, best appreciated alongside hearty cuisine. — 4 months ago

Randy Fuller

9.3

This wine is inky dark, with no light getting through the glass. Black fruit provides the sweet part of the nose, while tar, earth, tobacco, and coffee cover the savory side. Blackberry and plum flavors are joined on the palate by earthy minerals and a brisk acidity. The tannins are firm and seem to eagerly await a pairing with some beef. It’s a delicious wine, so if you’re not pairing it with food, that’s okay. — 7 months ago

Peter van den Besselaar

8.9

Vintage 2021 | introverted smell, good structure — a year ago

Ruud Verhagen

9.1

2019 vintage — 3 years ago

Jeremy.Buss

9.1

Our friend described this as forest floor. Did have wet forest smells along with mushrooms, dry blackberry and raspberry with a slight musty funk. Felt like this bottle was just a touch sweeter (not dessert wine sweet just that the dark fruit had fermented a bit more). Good wine. — 5 years ago

JFP

9.1

Excellent opener. Fits well with asparagus and chicken. As well as a chocolate dessert — 5 years ago