Merlot Riserva "kunst.stück" DOC 2018 MAGNUM Kaltern Winery

Merlot Riserva "kunst.stück" DOC 2018 MAGNUM

Origin: Italy, Alto Adige, Caldaro, 2 vineyards: the first is located at an altitude of around 350 metres above sea level in a south-facing position, the second is lower down at around 260 metres above sea level on a south-east facing slope.

Producer: Kaltern Winery

Grape variety: 100% Merlot, dry, 25-year-old vines, yield 50 hl/ha

Soil: Moraine soil with porphyry layers and calcareous, stony soil with a high proportion of silt.

Vintage 2018:

Overall, the weather conditions in the 2018 wine-growing year were very good. The rainfall in winter and spring ensured sufficient moisture and therefore ideal fertilisation conditions. Plenty of sunshine and above-average temperatures in summer and autumn led to drought, which was offset by a few heavy thunderstorms in August. The optimal weather conditions in late summer allowed us to harvest healthy and ripe grapes.

Vinification: We are convinced that the vinification of great red wines has little influence on the final result. What counts is the grape. Vinification is the tool that transforms the quality and expressiveness of the grapes into wine. The best cellar master is the one who deviates the least from the course on the way from the grape to the bottle:

Fermentation at 30-32°C with maceration on the skins for four weeks in large oak barrels. About 10% of the grapes were dried in crates for three weeks. Malolactic fermentation and maturation took place for 18 months in barriques (100% new), bottling with light filtration.

Tasting notes:

- Intense, deep ruby red colour, with violet nuances when young.

- Crisp fruit, Mediterranean spices, thyme and oriental notes, as well as sweet and aromatic oak notes.

- A wine for great thinkers or for those who like to travel, preferably in their thoughts. Fine tannins, sweetness and the typical elegance of Merlot combined with a long and savoury finish.

We are all constantly in search of ourselves and what touches our senses and our soul. Our emotions show us the way, try the wine, let your palate guide you and discover the combination that best suits the occasion and the moment. We tried the kunst.stück 2018 in combination with a crispy pork belly with lentils and balsamic vinegar reduction.

Anita Ladurner, a young and aspiring artist from South Tyrol, won the labelling competition for the kunst.stück Merlot Riserva 2018. The theme was "Kissed by the sun". For the first time, the wine was bottled in 0.75 litre bottles as well as magnums.

Alcohol: 14.5 %

Residual sugar: 0.5 g/l

Acidity: 5.2 g/l

Content: 1500ml (magnum)