Warm Up With Tiefenbrunner Linticlarus Cuvée Reserve from Alto Adige

When the winter rain comes, not only does the temperature dip, the cold penetrates your being. I think about red wines and with this one, only have to see the first few letters of the producer’s name and wine to know it will fit into the evening. Tiefenbru…

I pull the cork, tip a small amount into my glass, and wait in between swirls that unleash its aromas. Then I sniff, tuning into the soul of the wine. How did it grow to be 8-years old and what does it have to say?

Each of the two varieties, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, spent 12-months in French oak (45% new) before blending, then an additional 6-months in large wood casks and a final 2-year chill out in bottle. Each stage added to its expression, and now I’m taking it in on this cool and rainy afternoon.

I dig deeper.

In the glass I see intense ruby with garnet nuances. The first nose shares rich notes of cassis and ripe plums, with some cinnamon and cocoa in the background. The second nose reveals tertiary development: vanilla, dried violet, tobacco, coffee, and eucalyptus.

The first sip reveals a bold yet charming character, where the acidity and tannins vie for position like horses running smoothly on a race. The black fruit– cassis and cherry– have melded, balancing out a brisk structure. A second sip indicates more round, mid-palate fruity charm and polished, finely meshed tannins. The home stretch shows this all coming together in an immaculately balanced fashion, leaving hints of eucalyptus, cocoa and cinnamon on my palate.

Tiefenbrunner Linticlarus Cuvée Riserve has a beautiful soul that given time to open up it, withheld no secrets. It’s a wine we sipped slowly, tasting it evolve while preparing beef and lamb meatballs for dinner. A wine that took the chill off– it was no problem finishing the entire bottle. It is indeed a winning wine that I hope you get to experience one day!

Beef and lamb meatballs in a tomato and fennel sauce was an excellent pairing with Linticlarus Cuvée Riserva.

Tiefenbrunner is located south of Bozen in the northern Italian region of Alto Adige where they farm about 25 hectares. The fifth generation of the family is currently running the operation and produces a range of red and white wines and grappa.