Flora Cabernet / Merlot Riserva DOC - Kellerei Girlan

The Flora Cabernet / Merlot Riserva DOC - Kellerei Girlan presents a bright ruby red in the glass with a dense core and delicate garnet-red reflections at the rim. Already with the first swirl, a multi-layered cloud of aromas rises. Dark sour cherry, ripe blackcurrant and mulberry meet fine spice nuances reminiscent of black pepper and cedarwood.

After a few breaths, herbs such as rosemary and thyme open up, accompanied by dried bay leaf and a hint of sage. Subtle roasted notes of espresso, dark chocolate and a touch of vanilla point to maturation in wood. A light balsamic note lends additional depth. The bouquet appears focused, clear and at the same time inviting.

On the palate, the Flora Cabernet / Merlot Riserva DOC - Kellerei Girlan is dense and structured. The fruit of sour cherry and blackcurrant appears powerful, yet always precisely defined. Spicy notes of rosemary, thyme and graphite set striking accents. A hint of liquorice and some tobacco underline the noble Old World style reminiscent of Bordeaux.

The tannins present themselves as gripping, silkily matured and very well integrated. They play around the fruit without overpowering it. The acidity is clear and taut, brings tension and keeps the wine pleasantly lively despite its fullness. The body appears full but never heavy. The texture glides creamily over the palate while remaining precise.

On the finish, a long, multi-layered impression unfolds. Dark berries, sour cherry and fine spice linger. A touch of bittersweet chocolate and sweetish wood notes remain present for a long time. The mineral imprint of the sandy soils of Trentino Alto Adige with DOC Sicilia character gives the wine a fine, almost salty contour in the finale.

This cuvée of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot unites the best of both grape varieties. Cabernet contributes structure, freshness, cassis notes and pronounced tannin. Merlot adds richness, softness and dark plum fruit. The result is an elegant, powerful red wine with a clear sense of terroir and classic Old World character. It appeals to connoisseurs who seek clarity, depth and balance.

For quick orientation, a look at the most important aromas in the glass:

• Dark fruits such as sour cherry, blackcurrant, blackberry
• Herbal aromas of rosemary, thyme and dried Mediterranean herbs
• Wood and roasted notes of vanilla, cedarwood, espresso and dark chocolate
• Fine spice with pepper, tobacco and a hint of liquorice
• Mineral nuances from the sandy terroir

The style of the Flora Cabernet / Merlot Riserva DOC - Kellerei Girlan is clear: fruit-driven, spicy, structured and powerful, yet always elegant. A red wine for connoisseurs with a sense for depth, structure and long ageing potential. For purchasing, a brief overview provides the central strengths of this wine.

1. Dense, elegant structure with ripe tannins
2. Expressive cuvée of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
3. Origin-typical style with Old World character
4. Long finish and great development potential
5. Versatile pairing with sophisticated cuisine

Production of the Flora Cabernet / Merlot Riserva DOC from Kellerei Girlan

The grapes for this DOC Riserva come from selected sites with sandy soils in Trentino Alto Adige with Sicilia DOC imprint. The climate shows warm days and cooler nights. This allows the berries to ripen slowly and evenly. The sun brings intense aromas and rich fruit, while the cool nights preserve freshness and structure.

Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grow in densely planted vineyards. The vines root deep into the sandy subsoil and draw valuable minerality from there. Yield reduction through pruning ensures small, aromatic grapes with concentrated juice. Harvest time is late in order to achieve full ripeness and complex tannins.

The harvest is selective, often by hand, so that only perfectly ripe berries reach the cellar. A first selection already takes place in the vineyard. In the cellar, another sorting follows on the sorting table. Only the best grape material finds its way into the fermentation vessels.

After destemming, a gentle maceration period follows. The berries remain in contact with the skins so that color, tannin and aromatic substances pass into the must. Fermentation takes place under temperature control in stainless steel tanks or large wooden vats. Regular pumping over ensures gentle extraction and fine structure.

Subsequently, the young wine matures for an extended period in wooden casks, partly in traditional large barrels, partly in barriques. This maturation imparts structure, depth and subtle toasted aromas. Time spent on the fine lees provides additional richness, a creamy texture and harmonious integration of the acidity.

In this cuvée, Cabernet Sauvignon contributes backbone, tannin structure and clear cassis fruit. Merlot complements with richness, dark plum and a velvety mouthfeel. The cellar master places great importance on balance. Neither wood nor tannin push to the foreground. The origin and the fruit of the grape varieties are the focus.

Before bottling, the wine rests again in the tank and later in the bottle. This maturation phase smooths edges and opens up the complex aromatics. Thus a DOC Riserva is created that unites sophistication, terroir and elegance and appears ready for great moments of enjoyment.

Enjoyment recommendations for the Flora Cabernet / Merlot Riserva DOC from Kellerei Girlan

The wine accompanies sophisticated cuisine with confident ease. Juicy beef steaks, braised ox cheeks or rack of lamb with herb crust find an elegant counterpart in its dark fruit and spice. Game dishes such as venison ragout or saddle of venison also pair excellently, especially with root vegetables and robust sauces.

In Mediterranean cuisine, the wine harmonizes with beef cheeks in red wine sauce, ossobuco, lamb ragout with rosemary or stuffed baked eggplant. Mature hard cheeses such as pecorino, parmesan or an aged mountain cheese showcase the tannin structure beautifully. Truffle dishes, mushroom risotto or pasta with porcini are likewise ideal partners.

For sociable evenings, a platter with air-dried ham, salami, robust hard cheese and olives is a good choice. The wine picks up the herbal aromas of the antipasti and amplifies them on the palate. Dark chocolate with a high cocoa content provides an exciting interplay with the notes of espresso and dark chocolate in the wine to finish.

As a companion to a fine dinner, the Riserva shows its full class. It suits festive menus, holidays and special moments. In an elegant wooden case or as a single bottle, it makes a stylish gift for red wine lovers. It appeals to connoisseurs, but also to those who are just entering the world of full-bodied red wines.

The ideal serving temperature lies between 15 and 18 degrees. This allows the dark fruit to fully unfold and the tannins to appear soft and harmonious. An hour in a decanter before enjoyment opens up the aromas and brings additional depth. A bulbous red wine glass with sufficient space for contact with air is best.

With proper storage in a cool, dark environment, the wine develops further maturity over the years, more complexity and even softer tannins. Those who show patience will experience additional nuances of leather, tobacco and refined spice. Even today, however, the wine already offers complete enjoyment with intense fruit, clear structure and elegant length.

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