Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A very fresh and vivid red with blueberry, raspberry and rose stem aromas and flavors that follow through to a medium body with medium velvety tannins and a crisp and solid finish. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Extremely drinkable now, with lots of brightness.
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Vinous
The 2024 Teroldego Sgarzon is darkly floral and tightly wound, with exotic spice and dusty sage giving way to dried black cherries and a subtle lift of mint. A tactile minerality on the entry leads to violet-laced red and black fruits. Edgy tannins mingle with citrus zest and inner rose tones through the long, tension-filled finale. There’s certainly pleasure to be found here today, especially if paired with a meal, but the Sgarzon demands patience.
Rating: 94+ -
Wine Spectator
A well-tailored red that opens nicely in the glass, revealing flavors of pureed raspberry and pomegranate and fresh, loamy earth, plus touches of herbed black olive and cracked pink peppercorn, all finely meshed with sleek, sculpted tannins. Long and focused, with hints of violet and tea rose on the finish. Drink now through 2039.
Unique to the Trentino region of NE Italy, Teroldego produces a deeply purple-hued wine with an assertive black fruit character and intriguing aromatics. The best quality Teroldego comes from the Campo Rotaliano, a sandy and gravelly plain between the tall mountains of the area. Somm Secret—Dating back to the 15th century in Rotaliano, Teroldego has created a well-connected anthology for itself. As a parent to Lagrein, a variety native to nearby Alto Adige, it is also closely related to Syrah.
A mountainous northern Italian region heavily influenced by German culture, Trentino-Alto Adige is actually made up of two separate but similar regions: Alto Adige and Trentino.
Trentino, the southern half, is primarily Italian-speaking and largely responsible for the production of non-native, international grapes. There is a significant quantity of Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Merlot produced. But Trentino's native and most unique red variety, Teroldego, while still rare, is gaining popularity. It produces a deeply colored red wine rich in wild blackberry, herb, coffee and cocoa.
The rugged terrain of German-speaking Alto Adige (also referred to as Südtirol) focuses on small-scale viticulture, with great value placed on local varieties—though international varieties have been widely planted since the 1800s. Sheltered by the Alps from harsh northerly winds, many of the best vineyards are at extreme altitude but on steep slopes to increase sunlight exposure.
Dominant red varieties include the bold, herbaceous Lagrein and delicate, strawberry-kissed, Schiava, in addition to some Pinot Nero.
The primary white grapes are Pinot grigio, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay and Pinot blanc, as well as smaller plantings of Sauvignon blanc, Müller Thurgau. These tend to be bright and refreshing with crisp acidity and just the right amount of texture. Some of the highest quality Pinot grigio in Italy is made here.