Sanct Valentin Lagrein Riserva DOC - Kellerei St. Michael-Eppan

In the glass, Sanct Valentin Lagrein Riserva DOC - Kellerei St. Michael-Eppan shows a radiant ruby red with a deep dark purple rim. The dense color already heralds intense aromas and great depth. On the nose, a multi-layered bouquet unfolds with ripe blackberry, black cherry and sour cherry. Cassis, dark plum and juicy blueberry follow. A delicate hint of violets and dried rose petals sets elegant floral accents.

Spicy notes give the wine character and tension. Cloves, cinnamon and a hint of black pepper rise from the glass. Finely integrated roasted aromas are reminiscent of cocoa, dark chocolate, espresso and delicate vanilla scent. Subtle smoky notes and a touch of tobacco indicate maturation in wood. A cool, mineral component with hints of wet stone and graphite provides clarity and precision in the bouquet.

On the palate, Sanct Valentin Lagrein Riserva DOC - Kellerei St. Michael-Eppan reveals a silkily structured texture. The opening is juicy and dense, with ripe black cherry and dark berry fruit. The body presents itself powerful, yet polished and harmonious. The acidity appears clear and lively, supporting the ripe fruit and lending the wine freshness. Fine-grained, ripe tannins envelop the palate velvety.

In the long finish, blackberry, black cherry and dark plum reappear. Spice and wood blend seamlessly, with notes of cinnamon, clove, fine dark chocolate and a hint of licorice. A delicate tone of juniper, black olive and Mediterranean herbs gives the finale depth. Overall, the style comes across as powerful yet elegant, forceful yet precise.

The Lagrein comes from Alto Adige, where cool mountain air and plenty of sunshine meet. During the day, warm light caresses the grapes. At night, fresh Alpine air flows into the vineyards. These strong temperature differences favor intense aromas and a clear structure. The soils around Eppan range from gravel and pebbles to moraine rock and calcareous layers. This terroir yields Lagrein with profundity, minerality and finesse.

The Lagrein grape variety shows its full potential here. Typical are its dark color, powerful fruit and expressive tannins. In this Riserva version, the character stands out particularly clearly. The Kellerei St. Michael-Eppan has relied on precise work in the vineyard for years. This creates a Lagrein that unites Alpine freshness, ripe fruit and elegant use of wood.

The most important impressions can be summarized as follows:

• Dense, radiant ruby color with deep dark purple rim
• Intense aromas of blackberry, black cherry, plum and cassis
• Spicy notes of clove, cinnamon, pepper and fine wood
• Silky texture, harmonious acidity and ripe, fine-grained tannins
• Long, multi-layered finish with chocolate, tobacco and herbs

For wine enthusiasts, Sanct Valentin Lagrein Riserva DOC - Kellerei St. Michael-Eppan offers some particular strengths:

1. Alpine origin with cool climate and distinctive terroir
2. Single-varietal Lagrein with clear identity and great character
3. Riserva quality with depth, structure and aging potential
4. Refined use of wood that elegantly frames fruit and spice
5. Versatile food companion for sophisticated cuisine

Production of Sanct Valentin Lagrein Riserva DOC by Kellerei St. Michael-Eppan

The grapes for this Lagrein come from selected sites within the Alto Adige / Südtirol DOC. The vineyards are situated on the slopes around Eppan. Here, sunny south-facing exposures meet the cooling influence of the Alps. The vines grow on gravel, moraine rock and calcareous soils. These result in low yields and concentrated berries.

Lagrein is demanding in the vineyard. The winegrowers of Kellerei St. Michael-Eppan pay close attention to consistent canopy management and careful yield control. Harvesting is selective and usually done by hand. This way, only fully ripe, aromatic grapes reach the winery. The harvest date is chosen so that ripe tannins, deep color and lively acidity are in harmony.

After the harvest, the team sorts the grapes once again. Only the best berries go into the fermentation tanks. Skin contact is prolonged. This gently extracts color, tannins and aromas from the grape skins. Fermentation takes place under controlled temperature in order to preserve fruit and freshness. Regular punching-down of the cap ensures gentle extraction.

After alcoholic fermentation, malolactic conversion follows. This leads to a softer acid structure and greater harmony on the palate. The wine then matures for an extended period in wood. Mainly barriques and larger wooden casks, partly made of French oak, are used. This aging process lends the wine fine roasted aromas, additional structure and a silkily polished tannin texture.

Extended aging on the fine lees also brings more body and complexity. Regular bâtonnage, i.e. stirring of the lees, enhances the creamy mouthfeel. At the end of the maturation period, the individual lots are carefully assembled. The cellar team clearly focuses the style on elegance, depth and terroir expression. This results in a Lagrein Riserva that impressively expresses its Alpine origin.

Serving recommendations for Sanct Valentin Lagrein Riserva DOC by Kellerei St. Michael-Eppan

This Lagrein Riserva pairs excellently with sophisticated cuisine. The dense fruit and silky structure harmonize ideally with substantial meat dishes. With braised beef cheeks and root vegetables, the wine shows its full strength. It also offers a well-matched interplay of fruit and spice with pink roasted duck breast and cherry jus.

It also pairs very well with rack of lamb in an herb crust, saddle of venison with lingonberries or game ragout. Braised veal shank and robust ragù dishes with pasta find an ideal partner in this Lagrein. Vegetarian connoisseurs can opt for mushroom risotto, grilled porcini or oven-roasted vegetables with rosemary and thyme. Stuffed eggplant or lentil dishes also suit it exceptionally well.

For cheese, a selection of aged hard cheese and pungent soft cheese is recommended. Alpine cheese, aged Gouda, Pecorino and Taleggio enter into an intense dialogue with the wine. A few slices of air-dried bacon, salami and olives round out the tasting. This creates a Mediterranean evening platter to which this Lagrein Riserva is a wonderful match.

As a companion for special occasions, the wine reveals its festive side. It stylishly accompanies a multi-course menu, an elegant dinner for two or a convivial evening with friends. It also makes an impressive gift for red wine lovers. Its character combines Alpine origin, varietal typicity and the high standards of the winery.

The ideal serving temperature is between 15 and 18 degrees Celsius. A brief decanting before serving opens up the aromas and makes the tannins even more supple. A large-bowled red wine glass with a wide opening is particularly suitable. This allows the complex bouquet to fully unfold. When properly stored, the wine develops additional maturation aromas over several years, such as dried fruits, truffle and tobacco notes.

Thus, Sanct Valentin Lagrein Riserva DOC - Kellerei St. Michael-Eppan stands for Alpine red wine enjoyment with depth, elegance and a long-lasting finish in the glass.

• More products from Kellerei St. Michael-Eppan