Vigna Zis Blauburgunder Riserva DOC - Brunnenhof Mazzon

The Vigna Zis Blauburgunder Riserva DOC - Brunnenhof Mazzon displays a brilliant ruby red in the glass, with fine garnet-red reflections at the rim. Its dense color immediately reflects the concentration of this single-variety Pinot Noir from the famous Mazzon vineyard site in South Tyrol. A first swirl releases an intense bouquet that combines clear fruit with dark spice.

On the nose, juicy raspberries and ripe sour cherries take center stage. They are joined by delicate notes of wild strawberries and red currants. The toasted wood from the carefully used barrique introduces aromas of vanilla, cocoa, roasted hazelnuts and a hint of mocha. With air, subtle nuances of dried rose petals, undergrowth, fallen leaves and a touch of smoke emerge. A cool mineral vein recalls wet stone and the elevated position of the vineyards above the Adige Valley.

On the palate, the Vigna Zis Blauburgunder Riserva DOC - Brunnenhof Mazzon displays both richness and elegance. The wine opens with juicy cherry fruit, ripe raspberry and a hint of cranberry. The finely matured tannins are silky yet present, supporting the powerful body and giving the wine structure. Its fresh, clearly defined acidity creates tension and, despite 15.5 percent alcohol, ensures an remarkably precise, taut impression.

On the mid-palate, savory spicy tones appear alongside the fruit. Pepper, a hint of clove, some juniper and fine roasted notes merge with the red-berry character. The oak spice remains well integrated and never overshadows the Pinot character. The style combines power, depth and an almost Burgundian finesse, shaped by its cool Alto Adige origins.

The finish is long, with lingering notes of sour cherry, smoke, dark chocolate and subtle balsamic nuances. A hint of dried herbs and a fine mineral line remain on the palate for a long time. This Pinot Noir is aimed at connoisseurs who appreciate complex, distinctive wines from steep hillside vineyards.

The characteristic aromas of this Vigna Zis Riserva can be ideally summarized in three key themes:

• Red fruit: raspberry, sour cherry, wild strawberry, red currant
• Oak and spice: toasted wood, vanilla, cocoa, mocha, pepper, clove
• Terroir notes: undergrowth, fallen leaves, smoke, cool minerality

The wine displays the classic elegance of an Old World Pinot Noir while bringing the Alpine clarity of South Tyrol into the glass. The grapes ripen on sun-drenched hillsides near Mazzon, above Neumarkt. Warm days and cool nights intensify the aromas and give the berries a high degree of ripeness while preserving a lively acid structure. Organic cultivation enhances the expression and character of the terroir.

This Riserva style is aimed at lovers of structured, powerful yet refined Pinot Noir wines that welcome time in the glass and reveal new facets with exposure to air. The wine is especially impressive when poured into a large Burgundy glass and allowed to breathe freely.

1. Intense fruit with cool elegance
2. Fine, ripe tannins and taut acidity
3. Long, multilayered finish shaped by the terroir

The result is a red wine with a clear signature, presenting Pinot Noir as an Alpine personality. The Vigna Zis Blauburgunder Riserva DOC - Brunnenhof Mazzon invites focused enjoyment and accompanies sophisticated multi-course menus.

Production of the Vigna Zis Blauburgunder Riserva DOC by Brunnenhof Mazzon

The grapes for this Pinot Noir come from the single vineyard site of Vigna Zis above Neumarkt in Alto Adige. Steep slopes, cool downdrafts from the mountains and the proximity to the Adige Valley create a climate with warm days and cool nights. The vines are rooted in calcareous, partly clayey and gravelly soils that provide tension, minerality and firm structure in the wine.

Pinot Noir has demonstrated a particular affinity for Mazzon over many decades. The variety thrives in the relatively cool climate and good ventilation of the slopes. Small berries with thick skins yield concentrated musts with intense color and aromatic depth. Organic cultivation in the vineyard promotes lively soil activity and strengthens the character of the site.

The grapes are selectively harvested by hand, often in several passes, so that only perfectly ripe fruit reaches the cellar. Sorting in the vineyard already reduces unwanted grapes and enhances the purity of the aromas. The estate determines the harvest time so that high ripeness and aromatic density are achieved without sacrificing the tension of the acidity.

Gentle processing follows in the cellar. The grapes are destemmed before entering the fermentation vessels, often with a proportion of whole berries or whole clusters to shape finesse and structure. A short cold maceration before fermentation extracts delicate fruit aromas and gentle pigments from the skins. Alcoholic fermentation begins with natural or selected yeasts at controlled temperatures.

During fermentation, the cellar master regularly pushes down the cap or pumps over the must. This extracts color, tannin and aromatic compounds in a targeted manner without creating excessive bitterness. Once fermentation is complete, the wine remains on the skins for a further period, rounding out the young wine and adding complexity.

The wine then flows into wooden barrels, primarily barriques and possibly larger casks, where it matures for many months. The toasted wood contributes subtle vanilla, roasted aromas and fine tannins without overshadowing the Pinot character. Maturation on the fine lees adds richness, texture and further stability. Gentle bâtonnage incorporates the lees into the wine and enhances its mouthfeel.

Malolactic fermentation in the barrel softens the sharper malic acid and creates a creamier acid structure. After several years of barrel aging, the wine undergoes a resting period in the bottle before being released as a Riserva. This allows the Vigna Zis to achieve its inner balance and enter the market with early signs of maturity, while remaining suitable for cellaring for many years.

Serving Recommendations for the Vigna Zis Blauburgunder Riserva DOC by Brunnenhof Mazzon

This distinctive Pinot Noir is an excellent match for refined cuisine focused on aromatic, moderately seasoned dishes. It pairs especially well with dishes from Alpine and Mediterranean traditions that echo its spice and fruit.

With appetizers, the wine accompanies beef carpaccio with Parmesan and arugula, poultry liver parfait or a mushroom terrine. Aromatic mushroom dishes are particularly fitting partners, such as tagliatelle with porcini mushrooms, chanterelle risotto or polenta with fried king oyster mushrooms. The earthy tones of the mushrooms connect ideally with the wine’s notes of undergrowth and smoke.

For main courses, the Vigna Zis excels alongside pink-roasted lamb, braised veal cheek or braised ossobuco. Refined game dishes such as saddle of venison, venison medallions or wild duck also achieve excellent harmony with the wine. The ripe tannins complement the texture of the meat, while the acidity refreshes sauces and jus with elegance.

For lovers of vegetarian cuisine, the wine offers exciting pairings with roasted vegetables, stuffed peppers, eggplant casserole or baked celeriac with an herb crust. Mature hard cheeses such as Comté, Gruyère, mountain cheese or a not overly mature Taleggio round off a menu elegantly.

For special occasions, this Riserva is an elegant companion to festive dinners, holiday menus and anniversaries, or a sophisticated gift for Pinot Noir connoisseurs. Even during a quiet evening for two with selected cheeses or a charcuterie platter, it noticeably elevates the occasion.

The ideal serving temperature is between 15 and 18 degrees. The wine reveals its depth best when decanted approximately one hour in advance. This allows the fruit, spice and fine oak note to emerge more clearly. Served in a large Burgundy glass, the Vigna Zis displays its full aromatic range and feels even silkier on the palate.

In a well-tempered cellar or wine cabinet, this Riserva can be stored for many years. Over time, additional mature aromas develop, including dried fruit, truffle, leather and delicate tobacco notes. In this way, the wine does not merely accompany an evening but enriches an entire journey of enjoyment with ever-new facets.

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