Siebeneich Praun Merlot Riserva DOC - Kellerei Bozen

A Merlot with an Alpine soul and Mediterranean opulence: Siebeneich Praun Merlot Riserva DOC Kellerei Bozen captures the energy of South Tyrol in every drop. In the glass it shines in dense, bright ruby red with dark reflections, almost playing into purple. Even at the first swirl, an intense fragrance rises, setting the stage for a great red wine.

On the nose, ripe dark fruit dominates. Juicy blackberries, black cherries and concentrated plums unfold layer by layer. Notes of ripe blueberries, a bit of cassis and a hint of dark wild berries join in. The Riserva maturation in wood brings fine vanilla, sweet tobacco, a touch of cedar wood and a hint of cocoa into play. Light roasted notes are reminiscent of espresso and dark chocolate, accompanied by a touch of black pepper and dried Mediterranean herbs.

On the palate, Siebeneich Praun Merlot Riserva DOC Kellerei Bozen appears silky, dense and elegant. The texture glides softly and smoothly over the tongue without losing tension. The dark fruit remains clearly recognizable in the mouth as well. Blackberry, plum and black cherry combine with nuances of prunes, licorice, a bit of juniper and a fine smoky trace from the wood. The tannins present themselves ripe, velvety and tightly knit. They provide structure and depth without seeming harsh.

The acidity is well integrated and carries the wine with vibrant freshness. This means that despite its powerful body, the Merlot never seems heavy. The style remains clearly European in character, precise and focused. The alcohol content is 14.5 percent, but it blends harmoniously into the overall picture and provides a warm, lingering richness in the finish.

In the long finish, notes of vanilla, dark chocolate, sweet tobacco and black berries resonate. A hint of graphite and mineral nuances recall the soils around Siebeneich near Bolzano. The DOC Alto Adige is reflected in this clear, cool structure, which keeps the wine fine and taut despite its opulence.

The single-varietal Merlot grape unfolds its classic side here, but with an Alpine imprint. Typical Merlot characteristics such as dark fruit, soft tannins and a full-bodied structure gain additional freshness and elegance from the climate of South Tyrol. This creates a characterful wine that combines sophistication with drinking pleasure.

For a quick picture of the aromas, it helps to look at the key impressions:

• Dark fruits: blackberry, black cherry, plum, blueberry
• Wood notes: vanilla, cedar wood, sweet tobacco, cocoa
• Spice and depth: black pepper, licorice, herbs, light smoky note

The style makes it suitable for many occasions. The wine shows three main strengths that make it shine in the glass:

1. Silky, dense structure with ripe, fine tannins
2. Intense dark fruit with elegant support from the wood
3. Vibrant freshness and a long, powerful finish

In Alto Adige, Alpine coolness meets Mediterranean sun. It is precisely in this tension that Siebeneich Praun Merlot Riserva DOC Kellerei Bozen matures. The vineyards near Bolzano lie on warm, well-ventilated slopes. During the day, the sun warms the vines, at night cool mountain air flows into the valley. These temperature differences sharpen the aromas and structure of the Merlot and give it its precise freshness.

Production of the Siebeneich Praun Merlot Riserva DOC from Kellerei Bozen

The grapes come from selected sites around Siebeneich in the Alto Adige DOC area. The rows of vines stand on slopes with south and southwest exposure. On these warm soils of porphyry, morainic debris and sandy loam, Merlot ripens particularly fully and aromatically. The stony, well-drained soils force the vines deep into the subsoil. This results in dense, aromatic fruit with fine minerality.

Kellerei Bozen relies on selective harvesting. The grapes reach the cellar in perfect ripeness. Part of the harvest is done by hand in order to use only ripe fruit. An initial selection already takes place in the vineyard, followed by further sorting in the cellar.

After destemming and gentle processing, fermentation on the skins takes place. The must remains in contact with the skins for a certain time. This allows color, tannins and aromas to pass gently into the must. Temperature-controlled fermentation ensures pure, precise fruit and preserves the typical Merlot aromatics.

After fermentation, the young wine matures as a true Riserva for an extended period in wood. Part of it rests in classic oak casks, another part in smaller barriques. There, the structure becomes rounded. The tannins become supple and notes of vanilla, cedar wood, toast and fine spice develop. Longer aging on the fine lees adds extra creaminess and depth.

Thanks to careful maturation in wood, the wine retains its clear fruit while gaining structure and aging potential. Kellerei Bozen pursues a style that emphasizes terroir and grape variety. Power and elegance are kept in balance. Every stage of production aims at density, clarity and precise freshness.

Before bottling, the wine is given additional time in tank to harmonize. Only when fruit, wood and structure are in balance does this Riserva go into the bottle. The cork closure underscores the ambition and the intended cellaring potential of around ten years from the vintage.

Serving recommendations for Siebeneich Praun Merlot Riserva DOC from Kellerei Bozen

This Merlot pairs wonderfully with hearty dishes and fine meat courses. The dense fruit and the silky, matured tannins harmonize ideally with red meat and intense sauces. Classic combinations include beef fillet with an herb crust, braised beef cheeks or a juicy grilled entrecôte. A rack of lamb with garlic and rosemary also finds a refined partner in this wine.

Those who love Italian cuisine will experience impressive moments with this Merlot. Tagliatelle with game ragout, ossobuco, saltimbocca or a richly topped oven-baked pizza with bacon and mushrooms are excellent matches. Mature hard cheeses such as Parmesan, aged mountain cheese or tangy Pecorino form a perfect liaison with the dark fruit and wood tones.

The wine also shows great class with sophisticated vegetarian cuisine. Try it with oven-roasted root vegetables and herbs, porcini risotto or a lasagna with Mediterranean vegetables. Grilled aubergine with tomatoes, Pecorino and herbs gains additional depth through the wine.

As a food companion, this Merlot especially shines:

• with a festive Sunday roast or braised dish
• at an elegant multi-course dinner
• for a steak evening with friends
• as a high-quality gift for red wine lovers

The ideal serving temperature is between 15 and 18 degrees. This allows the wine to show its aromatic richness without losing elegance. A decanter is advisable, particularly for young vintages. About an hour of air contact opens up the fruit and makes the tannins even softer.

Serve the wine in a large Bordeaux glass with plenty of room. This allows dark fruits, vanilla and spices to unfold optimally. When stored in a cool, dark place, this Merlot continues to mature over many years. With a bit of patience, it gains even more complexity, fine mature notes and even rounder tannins.

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