2011 Manincor, Reserva del Conte, Lagrein-Merlot-Cabernet, Vigneti delle Dolomiti Rosso IGT, Alto Adige, Italy.
This beautiful and expressive red comes from Manincor’s estate and Panholzer sites, both with perfect facing south east exposure, perfect for even ripening and these vatietals in the picturesque surroundings above Lake Kaltern in Italy’s famed Alto Adige region. The Reserve del Conte Rosso is a blend of 35% Lagrein, 40% Merlot and 25% Cabernet, grown of sand, clay and limestone soils, in what are some of the warmest South Tyrol vineyards that allows perfect conditions and certainly give this wine it’s richness, depth and complexity, the grapes are grown organic and all natural yeasts are used in the fermentations, the vineyard sites are picked and crushed separately with small lots being done in a combination of large wood vats, cement and some stainless, long skin contact with daily punch downs give plenty of extraction, color and tannins, but everything is gentle and refined in this elegant and positively stunning wine. In Italy, it is common that you see just Cabernet on the label, this can mean either Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc or both, regardless in this wine it doesn’t matter which, this wine is sublime because of the cuvee and and the terroir. The 2011 Manincor Reserve del Conte is a beautifully detailed wine, it starts with wild flowers, hints of violets, mountain berries, sweet herbs, cassis and subtle earthiness, leading to a polished palate of blueberry, cherry, damson plum and black raspberry fruit, along with hints of pepper, cedar, cigar wrapping, crushed stones, truffle and salted black licorice. There is a lingering wild strawberry note and mineral streak that is appealing in this most intriguing wine, I must say, not having this wine before, this stuff is fantastic and I’m hooked, especially at this price, I look forward to enjoying this wine and tasting lots more from this property, I recommend sampling some yourself. Drink over the next 5 to 7 years, this 2011 was wonderful surprise, with supple tannins, good acidity and gorgeous hue, it looks and tastes very sexy indeed, don’t miss this.
($25 Est.) 93 Points, grapelive
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