Cantina Andrian Lagrein Tor di Lupo Riserva 2018
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James
Suckling -
Robert
Parker
Product Details
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Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Complex, multilayered fruit with aromas of wild berries and cherries, notes of spices and smoky undertones. Beautifully balanced with soft tannins and a long finish.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Big black-cherry fruit with a slug of bitter-mint chocolate. Full and ripe with generous, supple tannins that fill out this bold lagrein very nicely. Good length and not too much chocolate character at the finish. Drink or hold.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The Cantina Andriano (Kellerei Andrian) 2018 Alto Adige Lagrein Riserva Tor di Lupo is inky dark and impenetrable in appearance. The wine shows thickness and weight, although the fruit aromas are downplayed in this vintage. You get blackberry preserves and dark plum delivered in a less specific swirl of darkness, with some mild earth and spice sprinkled throughout. The wine's strongest suit is its mouthfeel, which shows deep layering and nice texture. Some 15,000 bottles were made.
Cantina Andriano was founded in 1893 and was the first cooperative in Alto Adige. The vineyards are unique to the area because they are protected to the west by Mount Gantkofel which is made of dolomite rock and calcareous stone. The sedimentary rock from this peak over the years has eroded and settled forming a downward sloping hill of deposited soil at the base of this valley that expands like a fan from the mouth of the valley, over an area of 200º from south-southeast to northeast and at an altitude of 260-340 meters above sea level. This fertile calcareous clay soil is typical of the area and leaves its footprint in the wine's character. The vineyards see the sun from early morning to mid afternoon. These cooler climatic conditions with respect to other areas in Alto Adige are responsible for the crisp acidity in the wines that give them their unique complexity and freshness. The wines are elegant with good aging potential. In September 2008, Cantina Andriano was absorbed into the cooperative of Cantina Terlano, a move to unify these two cooperatives who are in the same small DOC of Terlano. The Andriano wines however are kept completely separate, as they have their distinct traits, terroir and history. The staff of Terlano manage the vineyards, vinification procedures, and the sales of Andriano wines. Andriano is adopting the same philosophy of Terlano wines: high-quality terroir wines.f
Incredibly concentrated and uncommonly sturdy in character, Lagrein has roots in the Alto Adige area and has recently experienced a great renaissance in popularity. While the climate is cool there, the sun is intense on the region’s steep slopes. Warm hillsides near the bustling city of Bolzano create the perfect environment for the production of intense reds from Lagrein. Somm Secret— Lagrein Kretzer (German) or Rosato (Italian) is the spicy rosé version, which is delicious with smoked fish and white meat.
A mountainous northern Italian region heavily influenced by German culture, Trentino-Alto Adige is actually made up of two separate but similar regions: Alto Adige and Trentino.
Trentino, the southern half, is primarily Italian-speaking and largely responsible for the production of non-native, international grapes. There is a significant quantity of Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Merlot produced. But Trentino's native and most unique red variety, Teroldego, while still rare, is gaining popularity. It produces a deeply colored red wine rich in wild blackberry, herb, coffee and cocoa.
The rugged terrain of German-speaking Alto Adige (also referred to as Südtirol) focuses on small-scale viticulture, with great value placed on local varieties—though international varieties have been widely planted since the 1800s. Sheltered by the Alps from harsh northerly winds, many of the best vineyards are at extreme altitude but on steep slopes to increase sunlight exposure.
Dominant red varieties include the bold, herbaceous Lagrein and delicate, strawberry-kissed, Schiava, in addition to some Pinot Nero.
The primary white grapes are Pinot grigio, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay and Pinot blanc, as well as smaller plantings of Sauvignon blanc, Müller Thurgau. These tend to be bright and refreshing with crisp acidity and just the right amount of texture. Some of the highest quality Pinot grigio in Italy is made here.