The Lagrein for this bottling is sourced from Walch’s 49-acre Castel Ringberg vineyard, a chalk-clay parcel that rises to 1,150 feet elevation but is warmed by its southern aspect. Fruit was fermented in stainless, and the wine matured for 20 months in new French oak.
It’s deep garnet with a tan rim. Woodsy sous bois and cedar aromas mingle with a fragrance of black cherry and blackberry fruits, but the nose has a tawny quality, too, with high notes brown spice and bass notes of oiled leather. On the tongue, the tannins bite first, followed by tart red cherries and black currant; the finish is both juicy and woody. The oak is pronounced and forward and the wine feels like it needs time to integrate and soften.
13.5% abv | $45 (sample)
