Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Some real sophistication here! All the colors of the currant pour from the glass of this ripe, generous and juicy sauvignon blanc. With aeration, notes of yellow grapefruit, red gooseberry and fresh sage emerge. Very good balance at the long, polished finish. Drink now.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
This is the estate's entry-level Sauvignon Blanc that boasts a fresh and snappy style. This is my first time tasing this wine. The Nals Margreid 2021 Alto Adige Sauvignon Stein only sees stainless steel, and the fruit is harvested from young vines, aged five to 10 years old. The vineyards are in the village of Nalles at 330 to 400 meters above sea level, and if you look beyond the church steeple, virtually the whole face of the mountain is planted to Sauvignon Blanc. This expression is not too nervous or wound up. It delivers an informal drinking style with good freshness and a salty mineral close. Best After 2022.
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Wine Enthusiast
This expressive white has classic varietal aromas of elderflower, tropical fruit and crushed tomato vine. The full-bodied, generous palate doles out ripe cantaloup, juicy grapefruit and tangy gooseberry accompanied by racy acidity. A flinty mineral note on the finish lends interest.
Capable of a vast array of styles, Sauvignon Blanc is a crisp, refreshing variety that equally reflects both terroir and varietal character. Though it can vary depending on where it is grown, a couple of commonalities always exist—namely, zesty acidity and intense aromatics. This variety is of French provenance. Somm Secret—Along with Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc is a proud parent of Cabernet Sauvignon. That green bell pepper aroma that all three varieties share is no coincidence—it comes from a high concentration of pyrazines (herbaceous aromatic compounds) inherent to each member of the family.
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.