Tenuta Falkenstein

With its fertile soils on sunny and partly very steep slopes at an altitude of up to 700m, the Vinschgau Valley (the upper part of the Etsch Valley) offers ideal conditions for growing Pinot Noir. Stimulating, fresh bouquet of raspberries and wild strawberries. Lively, very fresh and with the elegance typical of the grape variety. The very discreet tannin structure gives this rosato a long-lasting and incredibly juicy final. SUPERIORE.DE

Light straw yellow with sparkling shimmer. In the aroma, noble nuances of flint, mineral with beautiful citrus, grapefruit and gooseberry notes. On the palate, discreetly creamy and round, with a beautiful precision and juiciness, the racy final pleasantly fresh and slightly salty. SUPERIORE.DE

"Clear bright lemon yellow. Discreet interplay of fresh herbal spice and a hint of ripe exoticism on the nose. Refreshing acidity appears youthful and is well integrated, plenty of minerality brings length and balance, finesse-rich and long on the finish." Falstaff

"With its reine-claude plum and mirabelle character, this is a unique Alto Adige sauvignon blanc. Impressive substance, plus very crisp acidity, married to a wet-stone note add to this impression, although there is some nice creaminess, too." James Suckling

Dry warmth during the day and refreshing coolness at night - ideal conditions for a Gewürztraminer that is leaner and fresher at Weingut Falkenstein than is otherwise known from South Tyrol. Bright yellow. On the nose, ripe but never exuberant aromas of dried fruits, honey, a little scent of roses. Medium-bodied on the palate and extremely drinkable due to its relatively low residual sweetness. The long fermentation on the natural yeasts ensures a balanced and lean appearance here. SUPERIORE.DE

The Pratzner family retains several hundred bottles of each good vintage, which are then matured for another 6 years in the cellar. These refined wines are then sold in small quantities as "Private Reserve" to selected retailers and the gastronomy industry, thus demonstrating the impressive maturing potential of the wines matured on fine yeast for 10 months.

Strong straw yellow. Intense bouquet of gooseberries with a restrained peppery note. Full and juicy on the palate with grapefruit, citrus and an interesting stimulating spice. With an almost youthful freshness and juiciness, this multi-layered Riserva also glides into a wonderfully long, mineral finish. SUPERIORE.DE

Riesling is the specialty of the Pratzner family: Radiant straw yellow with golden reflections. Subtle nose of flint, some lime, white flowers and with salty hints. On the palate, a precise acidity that vibrates finely on the tongue and then pulls the wine tight and fresh into the long, juicy final. SUPERIORE.DE

"Brilliant, bright straw yellow. In the nose elegant, with great citrus tones, after wet stone, reminiscent of cold smoke, in the aftertaste after apricots and white flowers. Taut on the palate with elegant acidity, spreads across the tongue with a fine fruit core, vertical, with traction, long final." Falstaff

"The complex nose of apricot and smoke pulls you into this simultaneously succulent and elegant dry riesling that has plenty of power, but also excellent balance and a long, pineapple and wet-stone finish." James Suckling

"The Falkenstein 2019 Alto Adige Valle Venosta Riesling (closed in a screw-cap bottle) is a wine of energy and electricity. It offers a lot of varietal personality with a tight embroidery of citrus and stone fruit that is interlaced with smoke, crushed stone, honeycomb and a touch of natural rubber. The wine is authentic and true - both to the grape and its northern Italian roots - and you shouldn't underestimate its pretty complexity." Robert Parker

Radiant ruby red with light rim. The bouquet is very precise with blackberry, raspberry and spices. On the palate of a buoyant lightness, in addition an elegant and deep fruit component, which is accompanied by a delicate bitter note and fine spice. A very elegant and juicy Pinot Nero with nice storage potential. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright elegant ruby red. Spicy nose of red pepper, rich cherry and freshly ground pepper, reverberating with wild berries and rose petals. On the palate polished and with a clear core, salty, shows elegant course with great spice, precise and with great length in the finish, own alpine style."

"I love the fragrant red-fruit, red-beet and herb-liqueur aromas of this medium-bodied, Alpine pinot noir that's got so much mineral freshness and generous fine tannins. Serious length and the balance to age well."

"The Falkenstein 2018 Alto Adige Pinot Nero shows focus and sharpness with a slender and silky overall approach. This expression of the Burgundian grape offers bright primary fruit with wild cherry and cassis, but there are savory touches too, with light spice, earth and toasted cumin seed. The finish is lean and shows medium length."

The Pratzner family keeps a few hundred bottles of each good vintage, which are then bottle-aged for another 6 years in the cellar. These wines, refined in this way, are then released in small quantities as "Private Reserve" to selected retailers and the gastronomy sector, thus demonstrating the impressive maturation potential of their wines, which are aged for 10 months on the fine lees. Sparkling, intense straw yellow. Interwoven and dense nose of juicy yellow vineyard peach, plus hints of apricot and lemon balm. On the palate, very convincing fruit-acid play with a lot of tension and depth, an impressive minerality on the finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"From far-northern Alto Adige, this is a Riesling of great harmony and suppleness, ideally ripe with intriguing aromas of apricot and bok choy. Slate soils assure a strong minerality on a very dry palate with sleek acidity. Subtle and smooth, it plays up to its food pairings." Decanter

Franz and Bernadette Pratzner planted their first Riesling grapes more than 30 years ago. The small plot yields just 1,500 bottles per year. The primary rock soil, the dry warmth during the day and the cool nights provide excellent conditions for Vinschgau Riesling to thrive on a steep southern slope between 550 and 900 metres.

Brilliant golden yellow. Aromas of peach and apple combine in the bouquet with a well-dosed portion of minerality. Complex and multi-layered on the palate with yellow fruits, spices and lime. The harmonious overall picture of this exceptional wine is framed by a vibrant acidity and wonderful freshness, which will ensure a long life and further refinement in the bottle. Happy the one who can get hold of a few bottles of it! SUPERIORE.DE

"Radiant intense straw yellow. Opens with slightly ripe mineral notes, then juicy peach, some orange. Shows nice play on the palate, spreads out with lots of juicy fruit, fine acidity, long finish." Falstaff

"Tons of lemon balm and a hint of lemon curd, but also plenty of white and yellow-peach aromas, pulling you inexorably into this powerful, concentrated dry riesling that has great mineral freshness at the bone-dry, very long finish." James Suckling

The name "phileo" is based on the first name Filomena of the mother of the current owner Franz Pratzner. She played a major role in shaping Weinhof Falkenstein, which is why a selection from the best Pinot Blanc vineyards was created for the first time in 2016 and will henceforth bear her name.

This spontaneously fermented Pinot Bianco sets standards - in its creaminess, its present acidity and minerality and with its great ageing potential. With its delicate apple aromas and subtle vanilla and citrus notes, it is a benchmark for what is probably the most famous white grape variety in the region! SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, elegant light gold. In the nose with a fine fragrance of light honey, orange peel and ripe pear, discreetly of cream, in the aftertaste of candied lemon zest, light herbal spice. On the palate full, warm-hearted and with a lot of melting, spreads great over the tongue, with well-integrated acidity, taut and yet elegant, remains present for a long time in the finish." Falstaff

"Burgundian-style winemaking often doesn't work well for dry pinot blanc, but this has stunning integration of fruit and fine oak with touches of coconut and candied orange peel. Really concentrated and long, but also so clean and precise." James Suckling