Kellerei Bozen Mauritius Lagrein Merlot 2016

Drink now through to 2028. No need to decant before serving.

The story of Kellerei Bozen dates back to 1908 when thirty grape growing families in the Alto Adige decided to band together to found their own cooperative winery in Gries. Many years later the original cooperative merged with another local cooperative and grew to include 224 families who together own 350 hectares of vineyards around Bolzano and Gries.

This unusual red is a blend of Merlot and Lagrein, a classic indigeneous variety of the Alto Adige which is said to combine the elegance of Pinot Noir with the complexity and intensity of Cabernet Sauvignon. Grapes are sourced from vineyards close to the village of San Maurizio and the Latin form of this name gives this wine its name. The soils here are warm and fertile which helps to produce intensely-flavoured grapes with smooth and ripe tannins.

Following vinification the young wine is aged in a combination of large wooden casks and French barrels for a year to harmonise and unify the components of the blend and soften the tannins and structure. The result is a richly-fruited yet elegant wine with ample dark berry notes and hints of toast and sweet spice from the oak ageing.