2022 Pfitscher Lagrein Alto Adige Rivus

The 2022 Pfitscher Lagrein Alto Adige Rivus is a characterful red from the steep, sun-drenched hills of Egna and Ora in northern Italy. Crafted entirely from the native Lagrein grape, it offers a vivid, unadorned expression of Alto Adige: juicy, structured and refreshingly honest. Rivus stands out for its balance of crunchy tannins, vibrant fruit and alpine freshness, delivering serious quality without excess weight or ornamentation.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Rivus shows an intense ruby-red core with a distinct purple rim that hints at its youth and energy. The nose starts a little shy at first, then gradually opens with air, revealing dark fruit tones of fresh blackberries and ripe figs. Subtle leathery nuances sit in the background, almost immediately overlaid by concentrated fruit, with delicate notes of rosemary and a touch of mocha bean adding complexity. On the palate, the wine is full and convincing without feeling heavy or rustic. The fruit is succulent and precise, supported by wonderfully crunchy, tightly woven tannins and a lively line of acidity that keeps everything in balance. There’s an appealing clarity here: no makeup, just pure Lagrein with exemplary harmony between juice, tannin and acid. While already pleasurable now, especially with food, its structure suggests it will evolve nicely over the next 5–7 years, gaining additional aromatic nuance and polish.

Production
The Lagrein vineyards for Rivus sit at around 300 meters above sea level around Egna and Ora in Alto Adige, where warm days and cool nights help preserve aromatic intensity and natural acidity. The grapes are harvested by hand, allowing careful selection of only perfectly ripe clusters in the vineyard. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, preserving the fresh, dark-fruit profile of Lagrein. After fermentation, the wine is aged for six months in barriques to add gentle structure and complexity, followed by a further two months of bottle aging before release, allowing the components to knit together and the tannins to refine.

Food & Serving
This Lagrein is tailor-made for hearty Italian cuisine and richly flavored meat dishes. It pairs beautifully with slow-braised oxtail in red wine, classic ossobuco, grilled lamb chops, and other robust preparations featuring rosemary, garlic, and olive oil. It also works well with game stews, aged hard cheeses, and mushroom-based dishes. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) for optimal expression. A brief decant of 30–45 minutes will help the wine open up and reveal its darker fruit and herbal-spice nuances, particularly in its youth.

Producer
Pfitscher is a respected family estate in Alto Adige, known for combining traditional mountain viticulture with a clean, contemporary winemaking style. Rooted in the region for generations, the family has championed sustainable vineyard practices and a precise, terroir-driven expression of local varieties such as Lagrein, Pinot Noir and Gewürztraminer. Their cellars and vineyards, many located on steep, well-exposed slopes, are managed with a focus on minimal intervention and clarity of fruit. Pfitscher’s wines are regarded as benchmarks for modern Alto Adige—pure, elegant and expressive of their alpine origins—earning the estate consistent recognition in both Italian and international wine circles.

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