Anticus Merlot Cabernet Riserva DOC - Kellerei Nals Margreid

The Anticus Merlot Cabernet Riserva DOC Kellerei Nals Margreid shimmers in the glass with a densely sparkling ruby red and a slightly garnet-colored rim. The color reveals the depth of this cuvée made from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Already with the first swirl, a multi-layered fragrance of dark berries rises to the nose. Ripe blackberries and blackcurrants meet notes of cassis liqueur, dried plums and a hint of blueberry.

On the nose, a noble spiciness unfolds with hints of cigar tobacco, cedarwood and fine leather. Subtle notes of dark chocolate, espresso and a touch of vanilla join in. A delicate herbal spice with anise aromas, bay leaf and dried thyme lends depth to the aromatic profile. In the background, an elegant, chalky minerality resonates, pointing to the soils of Alto Adige.

On the palate, the Anticus Merlot Cabernet Riserva DOC Kellerei Nals Margreid shows a dense, velvety texture with ripe, fine-grained tannins. The wine lies softly yet powerfully on the tongue. Concentrated aromas of blackberry jelly, black cherries and cassis encounter notes of toasted wood, tobacco and a hint of licorice. The lively acidity provides tension and freshness, while the powerful body contributes structure and length.

The style is clearly “Old World.” The fruit remains precise but never loud. Spice, structure and origin take center stage. The calcareous soils of Alto Adige deliver a fine, cool note that lends the wine elegance. Merlot contributes richness, dark fruit and the velvety mouthfeel. Cabernet Sauvignon adds power, structure and cassis aromas. Cabernet Franc sets a distinctive accent with herbal spice, pepper and freshness.

On the long finish, dark berries, tobacco, mocha and subtle roasted aromas resonate. A delicate hint of graphite and a mineral impression accompany the wine’s fade-out. The wine already shows great harmony, but also has reserves for additional years in the bottle. The style appears powerful, dense, structured and at the same time impressively fine.

For quick orientation regarding aroma and taste, here is an overview of the defining impressions:

• Dark fruit: blackberry, blackcurrant, black cherry, plum
• Wood and spice: tobacco, cedarwood, vanilla, cocoa, espresso
• Herbs and spice: bay leaf, thyme, anise, black pepper
• Structure: velvety tannins, lively acidity, powerful body, long finish

With these characteristics, the wine is ideal for pleasurable, stylish moments. The following strengths stand out in particular:

1. Multi-layered, ripe fruit with noble spice
2. Perfect balance of power, elegance and freshness
3. Outstanding structure with velvety tannins
4. Terroir-driven character from Alto Adige with calcareous soil
5. High aging potential with development capacity over many years

The Alto Adige region in Trentino-South Tyrol offers a unique interplay of alpine climate, cool nights and sunny days. The vines grow on calcareous soils that impart a distinctive minerality and tension to the wine. The combination of warm days and fresh nights gives the grapes ripe aromas with clear structure. This results in a red wine with depth but also elegance.

Production of Anticus Merlot Cabernet Riserva DOC by Kellerei Nals Margreid

The grapes for the Anticus Merlot Cabernet Riserva DOC Kellerei Nals Margreid come from selected parcels in Alto Adige. There, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc grow on hillside sites with good sun exposure and cool downdrafts from the mountains. The lime-rich soils store warmth, drain water well and foster compact, aromatic berries with thick skins.

Merlot, due to its earlier ripening period, brings rich fruit aromas and smooth tannins to the cuvée. The variety fills the mid-palate with juicy density and delivers notes of black cherry and plum. Cabernet Sauvignon ripens somewhat later and contributes backbone, depth and longevity. It adds cassis, blackberry, tannin structure and a fine, bitter note. Cabernet Franc rounds off the trio. It brings freshness, red fruit and a distinctive herbal spice.

The cooperative relies on careful, selective harvesting. The teams in the vineyard choose grapes with optimal physiological ripeness. Harvesting takes place in several passes so that each parcel is picked at the ideal moment. The grapes are brought quickly and gently to the winery to preserve their aromas.

In the cellar, gentle processing follows. After destemming and light crushing, the berries remain on the skins for some time. This allows color, tannins and aromas to be extracted. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks so that fruit and freshness remain intact and the yeast works cleanly. Regular remontage and gentle délestage build structure without making the tannins harsh.

After fermentation, the cuvée matures for an extended period in wood. Part of the wine is aged in barriques, another portion in larger casks. The wood contributes notes of vanilla, toast and cedarwood without overpowering the fruit. Aging on fine lees provides additional creaminess and stability. The lees protect the wine and round out the tannins.

Before bottling, a careful blending process takes place. The cellar master evaluates each lot and assembles them into a harmonious whole. The goal is a wine with strong terroir expression, clear fruit, dense structure and long aging potential. Classification as DOC Riserva confirms the claim to origin and quality.

Serving recommendations for Anticus Merlot Cabernet Riserva DOC by Kellerei Nals Margreid

The Anticus Merlot Cabernet Riserva DOC Kellerei Nals Margreid pairs ideally with meat dishes of pronounced flavor. Juicy grilled beef steaks, braised beef cheeks or a pink roasted lamb saddle with herb crust engage in an exciting interplay with the dark fruit and fine roasted notes. Mature game dishes such as venison ragout or saddle of venison with lingonberries also harmonize wonderfully.

With Italian cuisine, this wine accompanies dishes such as tagliata di manzo, pasta with beef and game ragù or lasagne with plenty of ragù and aged hard cheese. A risotto with porcini mushrooms or truffles highlights the earthy notes and fine spice of the wine. Braised veal shank with polenta is also an ideal partner.

Vegetarian connoisseurs can opt for dishes with roasted aromas and umami. Grilled vegetables such as eggplant, bell pepper and zucchini with rosemary, oven-roasted root vegetables, lentil ragout or a mushroom ragout with herbs provide an appropriate stage for the cuvée. Aged hard cheeses such as Parmesan, Grana Padano, mature Pecorino or a well-aged mountain cheese complement the wine particularly harmoniously.

As a companion for special moments, this wine is well suited to festive dinners, holidays and long evenings with friends. It frames a multi-course menu as fittingly as a quiet evening by the fireplace. Owing to its style, origin and aging potential, this Riserva also makes a valuable gift for red wine enthusiasts.

The ideal serving temperature lies between 15 and 18 degrees Celsius. Slight cooling before serving brings freshness and clarity to the aromatic interplay. A decanter promotes contact with air and opens the wine even more. In particular, young bottles appear significantly more harmonious and expressive after 60 to 90 minutes in a decanter.

Served in a large Bordeaux glass, the wine unfolds its full bouquet and fine structure. The rounded bowl concentrates the aromas at the nose and gives the tannins room. In a well-tempered, dark room, the wine can be stored for many years. In this way, it develops additional maturation notes such as leather, forest floor and dried fruits and can offer great enjoyment even after a long time.

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