Lagrein Riserva 2004, Nusserhof

At the base of the historical agriculture in Trentino Alto Adige is Maso. The term (from the Latin Mansio = dwelling) was used to indicate a typical land property of Tyrol characterized by the indivisibility of the same, a self-sufficient farm that was bequeathed to a single heir. Mayr family, for example, owns since 1788, continuously, a farm called (in the early 1980s) Nusserhof, in honor of Josef Mayr-Nusser, a Christian martyr proclaimed Blessed, who was killed by the Nazis after refusing to swear allegiance to Adolf Hitler.

This Maso is characterized by the deposit of Isarco river, in Lutago di Sotto, rich in porphyry and dolomite, beaten by constant winds, that make the microclimate suitable for the cultivation of fruits and vineyards. Currently Heinrich Mayr and his daughter Gloria, cultivate those lands (4 hectares in all) only with native vines with low yields per hectare, following the principles of the biological approach (since 1994), renouncing pesticides, chemical herbicides and fertilizers.

The Lagrein Riserva comes from grapes, harvested by hand in full degree of aging, fermented in steel and then aged in wooden casks of 20 hl for 30 months, and in bottles for another 30 months.

This dark ruby red 2004 vintage smells of wild berries, bright red cherry, and sour cherries, candied fruit, dried rose and blue flower, scorched earth, tobacco and leather. The mouthfeel is delicately spicy (black pepper most of all) and of good persistence, dense and structured, with well-defined but gentle tannins and good minerality which lead to a fruity finish.

One of the best expressions of the South Tyrolean Lagrein so far. A must buy and try!!!

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