J. Hofstatter Pinot Nero Meczan 2018
$56.99
DOZEN BUY
Description
While the standout wines of the Alto Adige region in northeast Italy are the zesty, aromatic Germanic whites—Gewurztraminer, Pinot Grigio, and Weißburgunder (Pinot Bianco)—it was Ludwig Barth von Barthenau, a chemistry professor at the University of Vienna, who was among the first vineyard owners to plant Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir) near the town of Mazon in the Alto Adige in the mid-19th century.
A Francophile who loved French Burgundies, Ludwig Barth von Barthenau was definitely the first to exclusively grow Pinot Noir on his estate beginning in 1860. Barthenau’s pioneering focus on the Pinot Noir grape continues to animate the estate’s owners to this day. In 1942, Ludwig’s grandson sold the estate to the Foradori family; Paolo Foradori released his first Pinot Noir in 1959.
Also in 1959, Paolo married Sieglinde Oberhofer, the only daughter of Konrad Oberhofer, nephew of Josef Hofstätter, who in 1907 founded in the village Tramin the Weingut (estate, or Tenuta in Italian) Hofstätter. With the marriage of Sieglinde and Paolo the vineyard properties of the two families merged together.
Since 1987, Paolo Foradori and Weingut Hofstätter have produced the single-vineyard wines of Barthenau Vigna S. Urbano, Pinot Noir and Barthenau Vigna S. Michele, Pinot Blanc. (The Vigna name connotes the wine’s single-vineyard status and is the Alto Adige equivalent to a prestigious Cru designation in Burgundy.) The Mazon plateau located above the village of Neumarkt is particularly renowned for its Pinot sites and their prestigious wines have since attracted a worldwide following.
Tenuta Hofstätter is the only family wine estate that owns vineyards on both the west and the east banks of the Adige River. They were pioneers of Pinot Nero in the area and are definitely regarded as benchmark producers of the variety in the region.
Pinot Noir was successfully introduced into Alto Adige at the beginning of the 19th century. It soon became evident that the gently sloping terrain and the micro-climate at Mazon were perfect for producing Pinot Noir of international stature.
Grown on a mixture of clay, lime and eroded porphyry. 75 percent of the bunches are de-stemmed, while the remaining 25 percent are placed whole in the fermentation vats. Fermentation lasts 10 days, during which the skins and other solids are constantly kept loose and submerged in the must.
The Meczan Pinot Noir is distinguished by its unmistakable varietal character, its distinctive aroma and fruity character, by its bright ruby colour with garnet reflexes, and its fresh, stimulating bouquet with seductive hints of woodland berries and cherry. On the palate Meczan is harmonious, sappy and mellow with impressive fruit. Alc 13% Ageing Capacity: 5-8 years.
90 points, Eric Guido, Vinous Media “Don’t let the screw cap fool you; the 2018 Blauburgunder Pinot Nero Meczan from J. Hofstatter packs a lot of varietal character and makes for a great value. Here I’m finding peppery herbs and savory spice with notes of bright cherry and strawberry wafting up from the glass. It’s cool-toned, pure and precise, balancing ripe fruit with a hint of fine tannin. The youthful structure here promises a number of years of positive evolution in the cellar, yet there’s no harm in diving in already. Drink 2020-28″
RRP $66 ** 6 PACK BUY … $56.99 when you buy 6 of this wine **
Additional information
Producer | J. Hofstatter |
---|---|
Region or Country | Alto Adige, Italy |
Variety | Pinot Noir |
Vintage | 2018 |
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