Review: 2017 Quintessenz Kalterersee Classico Superiore DOC
Alto Adige is Italy’s northernmost wine region, bordering the Austrian alps on their southern side. The wines here are predominately white, yet there is a significant red wine production as well. Wines from the Alto Adige region usually have high acidity levels, resulting from grapes grown in vineyards of 1500 meters altitude and up. The Quintessenz Kalterersee Classico Superiore is a red wine made from the native black grape called Schiava, a thin skinned grape with medium tannins.
This wine is dark and ruby colored, with a light flavor intensity of mostly black fruits, predominantly berries like blueberry and brambly blackberry, some black cherry, dried currants and cranberry on both the nose and palate — all along with a little floral violet. Some chocolate and cedar notes reveal the brief time on oak post fermentation, which adds to the complexity of the wine.
The Quintessenz Kalterersee Classico Superiore tastes as delicious as it smells. It is a lighter bodied, well-balanced, and elegant wine with high acid that results in a vibrant red wine that should be served at slightly colder temperatures, while noshing on charcuterie, like speck or prosciutto or some nutty cheese. At a price of $15, this is a total score.
A / $15 / kellereikaltern.com
2017 Quintessenz Kalterersee Classico Superiore DOC
$15
