Cantina di Terlano "Porphyr" Lagrein Riserva DOC 2018
(Trentino Alto Adige, Italy) - [JS 96] [WA 94]

About the Winery:
Founded in 1893, the Cantina Terlano winery is now one of the leading wine growers’ cooperatives in South Tyrol, with a current membership of 143 growers working a total area of 190 hectares. That is the equivalent of some 1.5 million bottles of wine a year. We and our members have long had a strong focus on quality. That has attracted praise and recognition on the Italian and international wine markets, and in spite of its relatively small size, Cantina Terlano is now well established in the world of wine.

Tasting Notes:
In the glass, a deep impenetrable ruby with violet reflections. This Lagrein selection is a multifaceted wine. It reveals aromas reminiscent of morello cherry and bilberry, with notes of licorice, coffee beans, vanilla, clove and black tea, which makes it spicy and fruity at the same time. The wine is harmonious on the palate with very compact and concentrated, multilayered flavors combining juicy fruit with spicy, peppery elements and a slightly sweet note of dark chocolate rounded off with silky tannins.

Food Pairing:
Perfect with pink roasted saddle of venison in a walnut crust with root vegetables and red cabbage, rib of beef braised in Lagrein with mixed polenta and baby vegetables, or braised calf’s cheek with Lagrein sauce on celeriac foam.

Technical Information

Vinification:
Manual harvest and selection of the grapes; destemming followed by slow must fermentation at a controlled temperature and gentle agitation of the must in stainless steel tanks; malolactic fermentation and aging in barriques for 18 months using one third new barrels; blending three months before bottling.

Provenance: Alto Adige - Italy
DOC Denomination: Alto Adige
Variety: 100 % Lagrein
Vintage: 2018
Yield: 42 hl/ha
Orientation: Southwest
Slope: 0 - 5 %
Altitude: 250 - 270 m a. s. l.
Alcohol content: 14,0 % vol
Residual sugar: 0,9 g/l
Total acidity: 5,2 g/l

96 Points - James Suckling:
"Incredibly intense yet subtle damson-plum and forest-berry nose with delicate, spicy overtones. Then, a densely concentrated but very precise palate that’s powerful, crisp and mineral all at once, the acidity lifting the super long finish beautifully. Great aging potential! Drink or hold." (4/26/2021)

94 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"Pouring from the bottle with an inky black and impenetrable appearance, the 2018 Alto Adige Lagrein Riserva Porphyr paints a classic portrait of this indigenous northern Italian grape with its characteristic chiaroscuro delivery, with rich black fruit contrasted against raw primary intensity with tangy cherry and blackberry. Some 22,000 bottles were made. A 14% alcohol expression, enjoy it on its own or serve it with a warm slice of mincemeat pie." - Monica Larner (9/16/2021)