2012 Heinrich Mayr (Nusserhof) Lagrein Alto Adige - Südtirol Riserva

Community Tasting Notes (5) Avg Score: 91.4 points

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  4/8/2021 - Putnam Weekley wrote: 94 Points

  Last time I drank a bottle from this case was almost two years ago. Has it even budged? An immediate nose-full is continuous with the 2015, except this is superimposed with fine, unsweetened chocolate melting like rainwater at room temperature. It remains vastly more more fresh than mature; cast iron horse shoes draped with feral berry vines. The texture is remarkable. Liquid, flexible sinews of fine black opium, sweet from the tannins, and dense with inky blue pulp. Intaglio ink. Linear and lofted; directional shadows playing arc dances in the sky. The tannins resolve with a dusty adhesion and form incredibly articulated lines. Back to the nose: truffle–sweet, succulent truffle. Whow! Last bottle of 2012. I wish I had another several.

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  6/29/2020 - Shay.Aldriedge Likes this wine: 92 Points

  This is without a doubt one of the most unique wines I’ve had in some time. As mentioned below by my good friend Mark, this is coming from an area of Italy that isn’t far from Austria. Had I tasted this blind, not only would I have guessed northern Rhône (just a step above crozes-hermitage), but there is no way I would have taken this to Italy.
  
  A mix of ruby and purple in the glass, you get the sense this will be heavier than the average Italian wine, and it is. But when you smell it, I was immediately taken to northern Rhône. A beautiful array of potpourri, dried black cherries, bacon fat, cracked black pepper, iron, and juniper berries (added notes of charcoal and dried plums on day two). Vibrant acidity on the palate. I followed this for two days, the first with about 90mins of a decant and it bulked up throughout the night. Heftier on day two. Underripe black cherries, grilled red and black fruits, tar, forest floor, and some funk trying to channel its way in. I don’t have a lot of experience with the lagrein grape, but this is a syrah imitator. Really enjoyed this.

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  2/12/2020 - Ben Christiansen wrote:

  All walled in of a clos. And a blend of different things going on.
  
  With some spicy, farmy, funk going on. And then some high altitude almost syrah like feel. Or at least the feel that high alpine red wines get like swiss cornu.

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  2/8/2020 - yossarian.livez wrote: 91 Points

  And it was just leaping out of the glass. Opaque. Plum, pomegranate, and tea before a bit of graphite and herb on the finish. The palate is richer in fruit than any Lagrien I remember, but also well balanced. Tannin is present with a little grip but smooth and rounded. Plus finish with persistence. Very nice.
  
  Picked this up with zero expectations. Probably would have guessed Syrah if blinded.

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  1/6/2020 - mflesh wrote: 93 Points

  Interesting bottle enjoyed tonight. This comes from a region of Italy that is very close to Austria, any region where most people speak German. Don't think I've ever had a Lagrein before. Surprisingly medium-plus bodied. Thought it would have been leaner. News of plum, bacon fat, raspberry pie. The entry of this is surprisingly sweet. More of a mulberry and a hint of tart cherry, with the middle going to more of a forest floor, mushroom risotto. Finishes actually quite round for a young wine that I believe has many years ahead of it. Not sure I would have guessed this one was Italian if served blind. Went well with the mushroom, spinach and herb butternut squash lasagna.

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