Riserva Südtirol Lagrein

Dead. Leaden. Like a bad house wine at a mid Italian restaurant. First experience having this variety with age, and not a success.

Delicious lagrein. Black plum, fennel, saba.

So good and so distinctive. Cherry, hibiscus, brambly, earthy, herbal, almost medicinal

Here’s a stereotypical Austrian style red, made in northern Italy. I dated a northern Italian red head once so it’s not that I’m unaccustomed to such beauty, you just don’t see it often.

And just like that ex of mine, this is light and dry and amazingly complicated. Bacon grease, cherry jam, Smokey and earthy all together.

The winery’s name “Nusserhof means “nut farm”, for the old hazelnut trees which used to line the driveway to the property.

The 2013 Lagrein Riserva is a pleasure to taste, and it’s sure to win a lot of fans. Crushed ripe cherry, sweet spice, hints of white pepper, sage, mint and floral undergrowth all evolve in the glass. It’s cool-toned and juicy, with textures and body that will remind you more of Pinot than Lagrein. Energy builds, as zesty acids enliven its mineral-tinged wild berry fruit, while a subtle tug of gentle tannin resonates. This is a remarkably pretty wine that will win you over for its feminine grace over power. (Eric Guido, Vinous, November 2020)

WNH Italian Night.

This is without a doubt one of the most unique wines I’ve had in some time. Coming from an area of Italy that isn’t far from Austria, had I tasted this blind, not only would I have guessed northern Rhône (just a step above crozes-hermitage), but there is no way I would have taken this to Italy.

A mix of ruby and purple in the glass, you get the sense this will be heavier than the average Italian wine, and it is. But when you smell it, I was immediately taken to northern Rhône. A beautiful array of potpourri, dried black cherries, bacon fat, cracked black pepper, iron, and juniper berries (added notes of charcoal and dried plums on day two). Vibrant acidity on the palate. I followed this for two days, the first with about 90mins of a decant and it bulked up throughout the night. Heftier on day two. Underripe black cherries, grilled red and black fruits, tar, forest floor, and some funk trying to channel its way in. I don’t have a lot of experience with the lagrein grape, but this is a syrah imitator. Really enjoyed this.

Amazing value

Deep garnet hue, tertiary, sweet/sour, energetic acid for its aged character, lingering dusty tannin and amaro spice. Old leather, dried and stewed cherry/plum fruit, dust, porcini, animal hide, hung meat, cigar wrapper, bitter roots, bitter cocoa powder, wet earth, mulch, rotting leaves. Love its chewy and upfront impact on the palate. Very complex and very drinkable

Smoke, leather, blackberry bell pepper compote. Fun.

Beautiful wine - expressive medium+ nose of violets, rose, blackberry, red and black cherries, and lavender, following through with a medium body and bracing acidity on a mineral frame. Long finish