Winemaker Notes
Ruby red color. On the nose it shows notes of sweet red fruits, herbs and tobacco. On the palate it is an excellent definition of the elegance of this variety, full of fruity aromas of dried blackberry, cherry, figs and prune. Fine texture, wrapped in silky tannins and a long, polished finish.
Professional Ratings
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Decanter
Alexander Gottardi’s first time using whole-bunch fermentation has paid off. Bewitching aromas and a balanced palate. Graceful, supple and long. On this showing, Italy’s top Pinot Nero.
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Wine Enthusiast
Aromas of dried cherry, sweet spices and crushed rocks waft out of the glass of this elegant Pinot Noir. As the wine evolves in the glass hints of dried flowers and savory herbs begin to show themselves. The palate is regal with the fruit, herbal and earthy flavors all working in concert to show how pretty the wine is. Fine tannins and vibrant acidity lift the palate with each sip. This wine cries for food, so look to more earth-driven dishes to really showcase this wine.
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Wine Spectator
An expressive red, open-knit and fresh, with baked black cherry, macerated raspberry, dried sage and spiced orange peel flavors accented by forest floor and tarry smoke. Lightly chewy finish.
Thin-skinned, finicky and temperamental, Pinot Noir is also one of the most rewarding grapes to grow and remains a labor of love for some of the greatest vignerons in Burgundy. Fairly adaptable but highly reflective of the environment in which it is grown, Pinot Noir prefers a cool climate and requires low yields to achieve high quality. Outside of France, outstanding examples come from in Oregon, California and throughout specific locations in wine-producing world. Somm Secret—André Tchelistcheff, California’s most influential post-Prohibition winemaker decidedly stayed away from the grape, claiming “God made Cabernet. The Devil made Pinot Noir.”
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.