Kirchhügel Cabernet Riserva – 2021

Kirchhügel Cabernet Riserva from Cantina Kurtatsch from a single vineyard

The Kirchhügel Cabernet Riserva from Cantina Kurtatsch is a South Tyrolean single-vineyard wine made from pure Cabernet, grown on steep slopes above the village. Not a Merlot blend and not a wine for quick refreshment, but a Riserva with sinew, edges, and stamina.

The Kirchhügel Cabernet Riserva from Cantina Kurtatsch is a dry red wine made from two Cabernet varieties, 70 percent Cabernet Franc and 30 percent Cabernet Sauvignon. Its name belongs to a single vineyard whose vines stand on sand and gravel with plenty of dolomite between 250 and 350 meters above sea level. It is entitled to the name "Riserva" because it has been aged longer in barrels and in the bottle than a standard vintage wine.

Cassis, elderberry, and a hint of mint

Dark garnet red in the glass, dense to the rim, and the bouquet needs a moment before it truly opens up. A wine of this caliber likes air, and it takes its time to breathe.

Then come blackcurrant, elderberry, and blackberry, backed by pepper and a cool hint of mint from the Cabernet Franc. On the palate, the wine is muscularly built, with 14 percent alcohol and a firm structure of tannin.

A fine vein of acidity runs through the center, keeping the powerful body upright rather than allowing it to become broad.

With rack of lamb and braised cheeks

This red wine is perfectly placed alongside rack of lamb with a herb crust, braised beef cheeks, and long-aged hard cheese. Its powerful body stands up to dark meat without overpowering it.

Game from the oven and dark sauces with juniper also find a partner here, as the mint note contrasts well with resinous and tart flavors. Decant for a good hour beforehand and serve at 17 to 18 degrees.

Aromatic counterpoints are provided by the aromatic Gewürztraminer, and further South Tyrolean products can be found at Eggerhof from South Tyrol.

Twelve months in French barriques

The vines at Kirchhügel stand on hillsides and steep slopes on sand and gravel with a high dolomite content, with a restricted yield of 60 hectoliters per hectare. Steep slopes capture more sun, and rain drains away instead of soaking into the soil.

The mash is fermented under temperature control in a rotor tank, which moves the skins gently and evenly through the must. Afterward, the wine goes into French barriques for twelve months and subsequently into large oak barrels.

The small barrel provides structure and a touch of roasting, while the large one smooths out the edges afterward. This creates a wine that displays structure without tasting like wood.

Cedar wood and suede take time

Those who bring patience will be rewarded after a few years of bottle aging with tertiary aromas, with cedar wood and suede appearing alongside the dark fruit. These notes are not flaws in the glass, but the actual goal of the long maturation process.

Until then, the wine is already accessible, though it presents its lean, upright side. In a cool cellar, a bottle of the 2021 vintage will easily keep for several more years. Stored upright and in consistent coolness, it remains in good shape for a particularly long time.

A late evening, a fireplace, accompanied by a plate of dark bread and cheese, and the glass stays full for a long time. More from the south of South Tyrol can be found in the Cantina Kurtatsch range. A wine with backbone.

Origin and values

• Origin: Wine from Italy
• Region: South Tyrol - Alto Adige DOC
• Grape varieties: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon
• 14.0% vol. alcohol
• 5.1 g/l acidity
• 2.0 g/l residual sugar