Cantina Terlano, Alto Adige, Gries, Lagrein, Riserva DOC 2004 This is still a baby with ample structure and notes of tar and earth. There’s a sense in which this reminds me of a young and reductive Northern Rhone Syrah. Let this one sit for 5 years or pair with salame and cheddar for dinner this week. The Gries vineyard is near Bolzano at 750 ft elevation. Bottled in Terlano 13% $27.99 at Traverso’s Terlano
For a rare and fine California version of Lagrein try Imagery Estate Winery in Glen Ellen.The fruit is sourced from Paso Robles and winemaker, Joe Benziger, has made a string of lush,deep fruited wines from this grape. The 06 was just released and the 04 library wine is tasting fabulously.
Kudos to Imagery for working with this grape. It’s definitely a hand-sell in the United States