2006 Cantina Tramin Alto Adige - Südtirol Stoan

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Garagiste

• By Jon Rimmerman
  7/12/2007, (See more on Garagiste...)

  (TRAMIN STOAN) Stoan Dear Friends, In the world of European white wines, this has gained in notoriety to the point of selling out on pre-release at the winery and the US allocation has been reduced to only a few dozen cases - it’s that limited. We’ve tried to get this in the past but to no avail - nothing like one of the greatest vintages in history to start with: 2006. Yes, I said 2006, not 2005. As I reported last fall, 2006 was shaping up to be a repeat of 1982 or 1978 in Tuscany (it is a FAR better vintage than 2005) and the excitement in northeastern Italy (where this wine is from) cannot be contained (the anticipation in the northwest of Italy and Piedmont is slightly less enthusiastic over 2006 but it is still very strong). The only vintage they believe may be better in Alto Adige and Friuli is prior to 1970 and that’s going back farther than most are concerned with. The same can be said about most of Austria (which lies directly above this region) where 2006 is also a vintage for the ages. Tramin Stoan is a wine that combines Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Sauvignon Blanc and Gewürztraminer in one concoction that is like the Tyrol and mountains of the Alto Adige brought to life. Think The Sound of Music in a bottle and it will be close. Produced from soil that is solid rock (thus the name - Stoan, a local dialect for “stone”), this wine is a prior Tre Bicchieri winner in Gambero Rosso and it is acclaimed in far reaching circles (including a 90-something Wine Spectator review for the 2005). Based on the vintage alone, I can only imagine how the 2006 will be received. While vinified dry in large traditional casks, this wine has a huge presence that is somewhat hard to believe. The entire spectrum of white, red and tropical fruit finds its way into the palate of the Stoan and its mineral rich, rocky and citrus soaked core only hints at what’s to come over the next 2-4 years. If you have the patience to wait until next summer to try this, it should really be hitting its stride. If you enjoy the top wines of FX Pichler this is right up your alley. EXTREMELY LIMITED - only 180 bottles for the entire US 2006 Cantina Termeno “Tramin Stoan” (there are no discounts on this item from the winery so the price is significantly less in Europe) Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA Italy7960