Grapelive Wine of the Day
By Kerry Winslow
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2008 St. Michael-Eppan Blauburgunder-Pinot Nero, Sudtirol-Alto Adige (Pinot Noir) Italy.
This lovely and delicate Pinot Noir from the Alto Adige tastes remarkably like German Spatburgunder with a hint of Dundee Hills added for good measure. Best known for Pinot Grigio, St. Michael-Eppan does a fine Pinot Nero and this is the best I’ve tried from them to date, and with beautiful details and silky texture this wine will appeal to Burgundy lovers as well as Oregon fans. Italy has a few good Pinots, and this is one of them with pretty cherry fruit, flinty mineral, tea spice and subtle oak. The nose is dusty with roses, truffle and a whiff of smoke leading to the cherry core on the palate, with raspberry, plum and slate like earthiness adding complexity. This is a very nice wine and a decent bargain to boot, I should think those that like a lighter, livelier and brighter style of Pinot will love this flavorful and balanced red.
($25 Est.) 92 Points, grapelive
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