Tasting
Distinctly dark purple – showing a real violet rim, opulent viscosity, ripe cassis matches with intensive heart cherry aromas, cool appearance dominated by ripe black berries, the humidor of a 3-torch restaurant, fresh thyme and Valrhona 70%, red currant tart and pleasant toasting flavours. Slight notes of After Eight deriving from the Cabernet franc.
Dry, densely structured with a pronounced creamy fruit, stewed cherries with cinnamon, matching tannin structure, some liquorice sweets and Manner waffles, dried plumbs and preserved Kornel cherries, always on the juicy side, pleasant finish of a charming food companion, a touch of wilderness embodies the cool-elegant composure. Could easily go for a reserve quality – also in 2019.
Pairing
Deer roll if no beef at hand, roasted venison with black berry chutney, fried porcini with pumpkin seed mayonnaise, strudel of curry sausage, fried radicchio with top-quality olive oil, herb risotto with black trumpets, spare ribs and white beans, beetroot risotto with smoked or sheep cheese, ideal companion to main dishes, roasted steaks, rich brochettes “Hotzenplotz” yet pleasant for vegetarians too. Pepperonata with intensive smoked bacon or pork burger. Penne with lentils, leek & parsley. Home-made cheese- caraway sticks or nut bread with summer butter and smoked sea salt, Christmas cake with bacon and smoked almonds, with ripe Montafon cheese or Wilder from Walde (CH) and much more. Heartily intense and distinctively hearty.
Making
Harvested at the end of September 2019 manually into small boxes: Blaufränkisch – mostly from the single vineyards Eden and Bandkräften, Cabernet from the single vineyards Gillesberg and Ritter – both slate sites.
Separately harvested, closed mash fermentation at an occasional temperature of 32 °C (92 °F) and some additional days of skin contact, gentle pressing, BAD, maturation in 300 l oak barrels, mostly first filling, for 12 months.
