Novacella, Abbazia di
Alto Adige/Sudtirol, Italy
Lagrein
2007
$17.99
13.0%
Blackish core, not fully opaque though, the rims all kinds of burnt red and oranges, lively and nothing dull looking about it. Some initial funk to the nose quickly blows off and the rest of the way it's pure and close to unevolved, just gobs of red currant, cherry fruit, a smattering of leather and pine forest breeze and that's it. Medium-bodied, noticeably soft and plump, rolls around inside the mouth. The tannins are mild but you can still sense the echoes of their youth. Uptick in the leather, earth, tar components but still the plum, currant fruit which leads the way. Anise, pressed flowers and something near to ginger root. Solid wine to uncritically quaff but you could be disappointed in the utter lack of tertiary development.
88 points

Note: Never quite sure what you'll get with aged Lagrein and while not profound this was on the plus side of the ledger.