Kellerei Bozen Mauritius Südtirol Alto Adige DOC Lagrein-Merlot 2022
Dry red wine, full-bodied and well-structured, blending indigenous character with international flair. · Kellerei Bozen (Cantina Bolzano), a prominent cooperative winery formed by the merger of several local wineries, known for exceptional quality control and representing hundreds of passionate winegrowers in Alto Adige, respected for elevating the regional varieties.
Vintage: 2022, a warm and generally dry growing season in Alto Adige that yielded ripe, concentrated fruit while preserving necessary freshness due to the cool alpine nights.
Type
Dry red wine, full-bodied and well-structured, blending indigenous character with international flair.
Producer
Kellerei Bozen (Cantina Bolzano), a prominent cooperative winery formed by the merger of several local wineries, known for exceptional quality control and representing hundreds of passionate winegrowers in Alto Adige, respected for elevating the regional varieties.
Country
Italy, a world-leading wine producer with ancient winemaking traditions, diverse indigenous grape varieties, and a strict DOC/DOCG classification system spanning from the Alps to the Mediterranean.
Vintage
2022, a warm and generally dry growing season in Alto Adige that yielded ripe, concentrated fruit while preserving necessary freshness due to the cool alpine nights.
Region & Appellation
Südtirol Alto Adige DOC, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy
Grape Varieties
A blend primarily composed of Lagrein, an indigenous variety known for dark fruit and spice, and Merlot, which adds roundness and lush texture.
Color & Appearance
Deep ruby red with dark violet reflections, good clarity, medium-high viscosity, and a youthful purple rim.
Aroma Profile
Intense bouquet featuring aromas of ripe wild blackberries, dark plums, subtle cocoa, sweet spices, and a distinctive earthy mineral undertone.
Tasting Notes
A harmonious palate introduction leading into a velvety mid-palate rich with dark berry fruit and a touch of Mediterranean herbs, finishing with long persistence and balanced warmth.
Flavor Profile
Flavors of ripe black cherry, blackberry, dark chocolate, sweet tobacco, and a hint of white pepper, showing good layering and complexity.
Body & Texture
Full-bodied with a velvety, smooth texture, moderate weight, and well-integrated extract that coats the mouth pleasingly.
Acidity & Tannins
Medium-high freshness balancing the ripe fruit, with fine-grained, smooth tannins that provide pleasant structure without aggressive astringency.
Sweetness Level
Bone dry with minimal residual sugar.
Alcohol Content
Approximately 13.5% to 14.0% ABV, typical for a full-bodied red blend from this alpine-Mediterranean climate, offering pleasant warming notes without feeling hot.
Aging & Oak
Aged in a combination of large oak casks and small oak barrels (barriques) to soften tannins and add delicate vanilla and spice notes while preserving primary fruit character.
Food Pairings
Ideal with roasted red meats, game dishes, hearty stews, and mature hard cheeses like aged Parmesan or local alpine cheeses.
Serving Suggestions
Serve at 16-18 degrees Celsius in a standard red wine glass, decant 30 minutes prior to drinking, and enjoy within its optimal window.
Price Range
Estimated retail price around $35 to $45 USD (€35 as marked on the bottle shelf tag), offering great value for a premium regional cuvée.
Quality Assessment
Rated around 91-93 points by critics, representing a super-premium tier offering excellent expression of the dual alpine and Mediterranean terroir of Bozen.
Production Methods
Hand-harvesting of selected grapes, traditional temperature-controlled red wine fermentation, malolactic fermentation, and subsequent barrel maturation.
Terroir
Sourced from vineyards around Bolzano featuring alluvial and gravelly soils influenced by a unique microclimate where warm Mediterranean valley winds meet cool alpine air currents.
History & Heritage
Kellerei Bozen represents a long tradition of cooperative winemaking in South Tyrol, celebrating the rich viticultural heritage where German and Italian cultures seamlessly merge.
Interesting Facts
The 'Mauritius' label is named in honor of the historic church and vineyards associated with the estate's origins in Gries, a historic district of Bolzano famous for Lagrein.
Cellaring Potential
Can be enjoyed now upon release or cellared gracefully for 5 to 8 years to develop tertiary leather and forest floor complexities.
Similar Wines
Other high-end Alto Adige red blends such as Terlaner Riserva reds, mid-tier Bordeaux blends, or robust Northern Italian Lagrein Riservas.