Baccara Merlot Cabernet Riserva DOC - Weingut Eichenstein

A hint of luminous ruby red in the glass, a dense core with delicate garnet highlights and an aroma that instantly captivates. Baccara Merlot Cabernet Riserva DOC – Weingut Eichenstein already reveals its noble origin from the granite sites high above Merano with the first swirl. Dark fruit hovers above the glass, joined by fine roasted notes and an elegant spiciness.

On the nose, an intense play of aromas unfolds, with ripe sour cherry and blackcurrant. Nuances of blackberry, some plum and a hint of cassis liqueur join in. A noble spice of tobacco leaf, black pepper and cedarwood frames the fruit. Delicate vanilla, dark chocolate and a touch of mocha indicate maturation in wood. In the background, a clear, cool minerality from the granite lends depth and structure to the bouquet.

On the palate, the wine presents itself dry, precise and at the same time beguilingly velvety. The texture glides softly over the tongue, fine-grained tannins provide support without dominating. Blackcurrant, sour cherry and blackberry shape the first impression. Then come dark wild berries, a hint of elderberry and a subtle herbal note reminiscent of juniper and bay leaf. The well-integrated acidity provides freshness and tension, the body appears dense and yet polished.

On the mid-palate, the cuvée becomes increasingly complex. Merlot contributes richness, ripe fruit and this flattering, velvety line. Cabernet Franc adds structure, spice and a fine, cool vein. Tobacco and cedarwood combine with notes of vanilla, clove and a delicate hint of smoke. The finish lingers, with notes of cocoa bean, espresso, ripe cherry and a mineral echo reminiscent of crushed stone and graphite.

The style is clearly “Old World”: focused, structured, elegant and with precise tannin architecture. Not a loud fruit bomb, but a finely drawn, characterful red wine from Alto Adige that shows terroir. The granite soils of the higher sites around Merano bring cool tension, clear fruit and striking minerality to this growth.

Typical aromas of this cuvée at a glance:

• Sour cherry, blackcurrant and blackberry
• Plum, elderberry and a hint of cassis liqueur
• Tobacco leaf, black pepper, bay leaf and juniper
• Vanilla, cedarwood, dark chocolate and mocha
• Mineral hints of granite and graphite

The wine shows a velvety mouthfeel that pairs excellently with its powerful yet never heavy body. The tannins appear ripe and silky, yet they offer strength and a clear backbone. Acidity of around 5 g/l provides lively tension and makes the wine animating and a pleasure to drink. The long finish sets in with dark fruit, fine spice and an elegant woody tone that runs like a red thread through the finale.

Various moments of enjoyment suit this type of red wine, for example:

1. A special evening for two with a fine menu
2. A festive dinner with family or friends
3. Enjoyment by the fireplace or on the terrace late in the evening
4. As a stylish gift for discerning wine fans

With its DOC Riserva classification, Baccara Merlot Cabernet Riserva DOC – Weingut Eichenstein expresses ambition, origin and ageing potential. It is aimed at all those looking for a structured, elegant Old World red wine that offers pleasure now and can also mature in the cellar for a few more years.

Production of Baccara Merlot Cabernet Riserva DOC from Weingut Eichenstein

The grapes for this wine come from selected sites in Alto Adige, above Merano. The alpine climate shapes the vines with warm days and cool nights. These temperature differences promote intense aromas, ripe tannins and a clear, vibrant structure. The granite soils add additional freshness, fine minerality and firm contours to the wine.

Merlot feels very comfortable in these easily warmed sites. It brings richer fruit, soft tannins and volume to the cuvée. Cabernet Franc contributes firm structure, herbal spice and a fine, vegetal note that appears very elegant and creates depth. Together they form a cuvée that unites power, finesse and alpine clarity.

For Baccara Merlot Cabernet Riserva DOC – Weingut Eichenstein, harvesting is done selectively. Fully ripe, aromatic grapes thus make their way into the cellar. The estate team relies on careful work in the vineyard to obtain pristine harvested fruit. Hand-picking in small crates protects the berries and preserves their freshness.

Gentle processing follows in the cellar. After destemming and crushing the grapes, maceration on the skins begins. Fermentation temperatures remain controlled so that fruit and elegance take centre stage. Regular punching down or pumping over of the cap gently extracts colour, tannins and aromatic compounds from the skins. In this way, the intense ruby-red colour and the firm yet fine tannin structure develop.

After fermentation, the young wine matures in wood. Part goes into barriques, part into larger wooden casks. The maturation period extends over several months, as is typical for a Riserva. During this phase, the tannin structure integrates harmoniously, and the wood imparts notes of vanilla, cedarwood, toast and fine smokiness. At the same time, the dark fruit remains clear and juicy.

Extended ageing on the fine lees intensifies mouthfeel and complexity. Regular bâtonnage stirs up the lees and adds extra creaminess and density. The acidity appears integrated, and the wine gains length and balance. Before bottling, careful clarification follows so that the structure is preserved and the aromas shine.

With the ambition to express terroir and varietal character precisely, the estate strives for a red wine that combines elegance, finesse and depth. Every phase, from harvest to bottling, aims at clear fruit, velvety tannins and a long, polished finish.

Serving recommendations for Baccara Merlot Cabernet Riserva DOC from Weingut Eichenstein

This cuvée accompanies many hearty dishes with style. It pairs excellently with beef, for example with pink roast beef, beef fillet with herb crust or slowly braised beef cheek. Lamb also harmonises beautifully, be it rack of lamb with rosemary, leg of lamb from the oven or Mediterranean-style lamb ragout with olives.

Game dishes also like to stand by its side. Saddle of venison with cranberries, haunch of roe deer with thyme or wild boar ragout with polenta are rounded out by the wine’s dark fruit and spiciness. Mushroom dishes prove exciting vegan or vegetarian partners, for example tagliatelle with porcini, risotto with chanterelles or fried king oyster mushrooms with polenta.

This red wine is particularly well suited to Italian cuisine. Try it with lasagne al forno, tagliata di manzo with rocket and Parmesan, pasta with ragù alla bolognese or a pizza topped with air-dried ham and mature hard cheese. Mature hard cheese such as well-aged Parmesan, Grana Padano or an intensely aromatic mountain cheese is an excellent match for the finale of a menu.

As an aperitif before the meal, the wine appears powerful and atmospheric, especially in convivial company. At a fine dinner it accompanies several courses featuring red meat, mushrooms and mature cheese. For a relaxed evening with friends on the terrace or by the fireplace, it provides depth, conversational material and enjoyment. Presented in a beautiful gift box, it makes a stylish present for wine lovers with a sense for alpine elegance.

The ideal serving temperature is around 15 to 18 degrees. Slightly chilled from the cellar, the wine shows plenty of freshness and precision; as the temperature rises, it opens up further and unfolds additional layers of fruit and spice. A decanter supports its development in the glass. Younger vintages in particular benefit from about an hour of air.

Serve the wine in a large Bordeaux glass. This allows the aromas of sour cherry, blackcurrant, tobacco and vanilla to unfold particularly intensely. Thanks to its Riserva character, the cuvée offers considerable ageing potential of around ten years from the vintage. With a little patience, it develops additional maturity, even softer tannins and a deeper, more complex array of aromas.

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