Brunnenhof Mazzon Pinot Nero Riserva 2021

Brunnenhof Mazzon Pinot Nero Riserva 2021 is a refined, alpine expression of Pinot Noir from one of Italy’s most prized crus for the grape. Crafted in tiny quantities on the sun-drenched Mazzon plateau above the Adige Valley in Trentino-Alto Adige, it marries Burgundy-like finesse with mountain freshness. This Riserva bottling represents the estate’s most focused and ageworthy Pinot Nero, showcasing the character of old vines and meticulous cellar work.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2021 Riserva shows a luminous, medium ruby hue with delicate garnet reflections at the rim. The nose is precise and layered: wild cherries, redcurrant and raspberry coulis are interwoven with rose petals, blood orange zest, subtle spice, and hints of underbrush and graphite. On the palate, it is elegant yet confident, with silky, finely woven tannins and a vibrant streak of alpine acidity giving structure and lift. Flavours of crunchy red berries, sour cherry and pomegranate unfold alongside notes of sweet spice, forest floor, and a touch of cedar from careful oak aging. The finish is long, savoury and mineral, suggesting excellent cellaring potential. Enjoyable now with proper aeration, this 2021 Riserva should develop additional complexity over the next 8–10 years.

Production
Brunnenhof Mazzon farms vineyards on the famed Mazzon hill, a south-facing plateau overlooking the Adige Valley, where warm days, cool nights and steady mountain breezes create ideal conditions for Pinot Nero. Soils are a mix of limestone, clay and porphyry, giving both elegance and a marked mineral tension to the wine. Grapes are typically hand-harvested in small crates to preserve berry integrity, then carefully sorted in the cellar. Fermentation usually takes place in open-topped vats with gentle punch-downs to extract fine tannins and delicate aromatics, often using native yeasts. The Riserva then matures in small oak barrels for an extended period, followed by additional bottle aging to harmonise fruit, oak and structure before release.

Food & Serving
This Pinot Nero Riserva is a versatile partner at the table, shining with refined dishes such as roast duck, herb-crusted lamb, veal loin, guinea fowl or pork tenderloin. It also pairs beautifully with mushroom-based cuisine, truffle risotto, game birds, and aged Alpine cheeses or charcuterie. Serve at 14–16°C to highlight its aromatic nuance and freshness. Decanting for 30–60 minutes is recommended in its youth to allow the bouquet to fully open and the tannins to soften.

Producer
Brunnenhof Mazzon is a family-run estate in South Tyrol, dedicated primarily to Pinot Nero from the renowned Mazzon cru above Egna/Neumarkt. Over generations, the winery has built a reputation as one of the region’s most focused interpreters of the grape, harnessing the area’s cool alpine climate and distinctive limestone-rich soils to produce wines of purity and finesse. By favouring low yields, hand craftsmanship in the vineyard, and traditional yet precise cellar work, Brunnenhof Mazzon has become a reference point for Italian Pinot Nero, helping cement Mazzon’s status as one of the most distinctive terroirs for the variety in Trentino-Alto Adige.