“Pònkler” Pinot Nero Alto Adige DOC 2020 · 3 bottles in OWC

Franz Haas | South Tyrol
Franz Haas S.r.l. | Villnerstrasse 6 | IT 39040 Montan

01023120 · 0,75 l · 398,67 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shipping2 units available
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It was the wine journalist Francesco Arrigoni who managed to extract a promise from Franz Haas. He had seen the beauty of these high-altitude vineyards, surrounded by meadows and woods in the municipality of Aldein, where only wild game roams, and recognised the quality that grew from this one plot: the Pònkler. Arrigoni's request was that it should be bottled separately. A promise the estate kept – even though, at first, it was impossible to know how the wine from the grapes of such a young vineyard would develop.

This was preceded by a decision taken in 1999: earlier harvests on lower-lying slopes had never been entirely satisfactory, as Pinot Nero does not thrive in heat but requires a temperate to cool climate for a long, slow ripening period. Franz Haas therefore planted new vineyards at higher altitudes – and took the opportunity to experiment with French clones, new to Italy, that are particularly well-suited to high altitudes. In 2007, the vines were planted using the Guyot training system in a single vineyard at 750 metres, on weathered porphyry, facing south to south-west. Since then, high planting density and low yields have ensured an exceptionally high quality of grapes.

Fermentation takes place in open vats, where the cap of pomace is constantly punched down to ensure optimal extraction of colour and aroma. After fermentation, the wine matures for fifteen months in barriques, where malolactic fermentation also takes place – followed by several years in the bottle before it leaves the winery. Arrigoni himself described the first vintage, 2010, as "the wine with a soul": lovely notes of strawberry and cherry, cranberry and blackberry, pleasant acidity, velvety tannins, and a drinking style of rare elegance. A character that the Pònkler has demonstrated anew in every vintage since then. SUPERIORE.DE

"A deep, luminous, elegant ruby red. On the nose, it offers dark fruit and dark spice aromas, with hints of wild berries, dark chocolate and precious woods; after a short while, it opens up to reveal dried rose petals, accompanied by subtle notes of rosehip tea. On the palate, it offers hints of lavender alongside delicate blackberry fruit, embedded in firm, slightly dusty tannins; the finish currently still carries a slight hint of oak." Falstaff

"A wonderful bouquet of ripe strawberries, cherries, spices, herbs, dried orange peel and a hint of wet stones and sandalwood. Well-balanced and harmonious, with a medium to full body, silky tannins and impressive fruit intensity. Complex and long-lasting, with an earthy, mineral finish. Suitable for drinking now or for ageing." James Suckling