Taber Lagrein Riserva DOC - Kellerei Bozen

The Taber Lagrein Riserva DOC - Kellerei Bozen is captivating in the glass with its bright ruby red and almost opaque core. At the rim, a slight purple hue sparkles, indicating depth and maturity. The initial nose reveals dense black fruit, with black cherry and blackberry immediately emerging, accompanied by dark plum. After a brief swirl, spicy accents appear, especially clove, fine pepper, a touch of cinnamon and a hint of cocoa.

With more air, the wine unfolds a complex aromatic profile. Ripe blueberry meets dried mountain herbs. Subtle notes of violet, tobacco and roasted coffee rise. A fine smoky tone recalls noble wood fire and lends the nose a noble, powerful depth. The fruit always remains in focus, yet the spice sets elegant accents and creates tension.

On the palate, the Taber Lagrein Riserva DOC - Kellerei Bozen shows an impressive combination of density and finesse. The attack is juicy and powerful, with black cherry prominently present, followed by blackberry, dark plum and ripe blueberry. The texture appears clearly velvety, almost creamy, the tannins ripe, fine and densely interwoven. Nothing seems harsh, the wine flows over the tongue with supple pressure.

The acidity structure is lively, clear and precise; it carries the ripe fruit and keeps the Lagrein in perfect balance. This creates a style that appears powerful and at the same time elegant. Pronounced notes of clove, nutmeg and a touch of liquorice accompany the mid-palate. In the background, hints of dark chocolate and roasted wood appear, recalling the careful maturation in cask.

The finish is long and deep. Dark berries, sweet spice and a hint of espresso linger, joined by a fine mineral note reminiscent of warm stone and sand. The wine presents itself as a structured, powerful red from the Old World, with a clear link to its origin Alto Adige / Südtirol DOC. The mountain climate with warm days and cool nights lends the Lagrein freshness and precision. The sandy soils contribute to velvety tannin and elegant fruit.

The Lagrein grape variety is considered the indigenous red flagship variety of South Tyrol. It typically shows dark fruit, pronounced spice and intense color. In this Riserva expression, the variety comes through with great clarity. The wine shows typical characteristics such as intense black cherry, blackberry, powerful structure and firm body, yet also an astonishing finesse in tannin and texture.

The style is best described as powerful, dense and at the same time surprisingly elegant. This red wine brings alpine freshness and southern warmth into perfect harmony. The combination of high altitude, abundant sunshine and sandy soils shapes a characterful, terroir-driven Lagrein that combines sophistication and drinking pleasure.

The typical aromas of this wine can easily be summarized, resulting in a clear picture on the palate and on the nose:

• Dark fruits such as black cherry, blackberry, plum and blueberry
• Spicy notes of clove, black pepper, nutmeg and liquorice
• Fine roasted nuances of coffee, cocoa, dark chocolate and toasted wood
• Subtle floral accents of violet and delicate mountain herbs
• Mineral hints of warm stone and sandy soil

So multi-layered and full of character, this Lagrein is suitable for many occasions. A brief ranking of typical enjoyment moments provides a quick overview:

1. Fine dinner with hearty meat dishes and intense sauces
2. Festive occasions such as holidays, family celebrations or special anniversaries
3. Relaxed evening with friends with antipasti, cheese and good music
4. Pairing with substantial pasta dishes or mushroom risotto
5. Wine moment for two with a focus on enjoyment and conversation

Production of Taber Lagrein Riserva DOC from Kellerei Bozen

The grapes for the Taber Lagrein Riserva DOC - Kellerei Bozen come from selected sites in Alto Adige around Bolzano. The area offers ideal conditions for Lagrein. Warm days with intense sunshine meet cool nights, which preserve freshness and aromatic clarity in the berries. The vines take root in sandy soils, often interspersed with gravel and some clay. This subsoil warms up quickly and stores heat, while water drains well, so the grapes ripen concentrated and aromatic.

In this environment, Lagrein develops its typical depth and powerful color. The variety naturally brings dense tannins, dark fruit and pronounced spice. At Kellerei Bozen, the Taber Lagrein Riserva is based on grapes with highly ripe skins. Reduced yields increase concentration in the must and lay the foundation for the powerful style of this Riserva.

The harvest is selective, often by hand. This way, only ripe and intact berries reach the cellar. Harvest time is determined by the ideal balance of sugar, acidity and tannin ripeness. In the cellar, processing is gentle. After destemming, maceration fermentation follows, during which skins and juice remain in close contact. Through regular punching down or pumping over, color, aroma and tannin are extracted from the grape skins.

Fermentation is temperature-controlled so that the aromas remain clear and true to the variety. After fermentation, the young wine stays on the skins for a certain period to deepen structure and complexity. It then flows into barrels by gravity, with the pomace following later. This keeps the extraction fine and elegant, without harsh bitter substances.

Maturation as a Riserva takes place in the traditional way in wood. Part of the wine rests in large wooden casks, part in smaller barrels. This combination gives the wine both structure and finesse. The wood notes remain subtle, framing the dark fruit with hints of vanilla, toast, smoke and cocoa. During maturation, the tannins become more refined, and the wine gains harmony and depth.

Extended aging on the fine lees enhances the velvety mouthfeel. Regular stirring of the lees adds additional fullness and creamy nuances, without diminishing freshness. Before bottling, the Lagrein rests again in tank or cask so that all components can harmoniously integrate. The result is a red wine that ideally expresses the essence of Alto Adige and the signature of Kellerei Bozen.

Serving recommendations for Taber Lagrein Riserva DOC from Kellerei Bozen

Taber Lagrein Riserva pairs excellently with robust cuisine featuring dark meat. A classic partner is braised beef with red wine sauce and root vegetables. Braised veal cheeks, ossobuco or a juicy roast beef also harmonize ideally with the dense fruit and fine tannins. Lamb cutlets with herb crust or pink roasted lamb loin likewise offer a well-matched combination.

Game dishes also reveal their full appeal with this Lagrein. Saddle of venison with lingonberries, venison ragout or wild boar with polenta gain additional depth from the wine’s spice. The wine also accompanies hearty grilled dishes such as entrecôte, T-bone steak or spicy salsiccia with Mediterranean herbs. The roasted notes from the grill meet cocoa, coffee and toast in the wine.

Vegetarian dishes pair just as well with this red wine. A creamy mushroom risotto with porcini, sautéed king oyster mushrooms or stuffed peppers with Mediterranean vegetables and aged hard cheese create a very harmonious picture. Lasagne al forno, pasta with lentil ragù or tagliatelle with truffle also let the Lagrein shine.

For cheese, aged hard cheeses from the Alpine region, robust mountain cheese, mature Parmesan or an aromatic Pecorino are suitable. Mild blue cheese also creates an exciting contrast with the dense fruit. As an aperitif companion, the wine matches rich antipasti platters with South Tyrolean speck, air-dried salami, olives and aged cheese.

Taber Lagrein Riserva is suited to special evenings, festive menus and convivial gatherings with friends. As a gift for lovers of characterful red wines, it leaves a lasting impression. For optimal expression, a serving temperature of 15 to 18 degrees is recommended. An hour in a decanter increases complexity, opens the aromas and makes the tannins even more supple.

Serve the wine in large Burgundy or voluminous red wine glasses so that bouquet and structure can fully unfold. In its first years, the Lagrein shows plenty of fruit and youthful power. With additional bottle maturity, more tertiary notes such as leather, tobacco and truffle develop. Thus, Taber Lagrein Riserva DOC - Kellerei Bozen already offers intense enjoyment today and at the same time exciting potential for the future.

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