La Contessa DOC 2023 1500ml Magnum

Wine Description for La Contessa DOC 2023 1500ml Magnum by Manincor

Colour & Appearance

Brilliant, pale straw yellow with vibrant green reflections that emphasise the youth and freshness of this South Tyrolean white wine.

Nose

A fascinating aromatic profile that begins with restrained precision. Vegetable notes of pea and fennel open the bouquet, before an intense herbal spice of lemongrass, thyme and lemon balm comes to the fore. With air contact, exotic fruit aromas of mango and pineapple develop, perfectly balanced by a mineral, chalky undertone. The cool alpinity of South Tyrol meets Mediterranean warmth here.

Palate

On the palate, La Contessa displays impressive structural presence. The six hours of skin contact impart a fine phenolic texture which, combined with nine months of ageing on fine lees, provides complexity and depth. The forceful mid-palate is carried by a vibrant acidity that gives the wine tension and length. Subtle smoke aromas and delicate roasting from oak barrel ageing complement the herbal spice and tropical fruit. The finish is long, precise and characterised by a remarkable alpine coolness.

General Information

This cuvée of 55% Pinot Blanc, 28% Chardonnay and 17% Sauvignon Blanc unites grapes from two contrasting vineyard sites: two-thirds come from the warm, west-facing Lieben Aich in Terlan with sandy, well-drained soils over porphyry, one-third from the cooler, east-facing Campan near Kaltern at 500 metres altitude with loamy-chalky soils. The challenging 2023 vintage with its wet spring, hot summer and golden autumn produced grapes of perfect ripeness.

Food Pairing Recommendations

The versatility of this wine is evident in its food-pairing qualities. Excellent with cured char with herb cream, where the wine’s herbal notes underscore the dish’s aromatics. Equally suited to smoked trout with horseradish cream sauce, whose smokiness harmonises with the wine’s subtle roasted notes. Also an excellent choice with beef carpaccio with purslane salad, where the fine acidity structure perfectly balances the richness of the meat.

Special Features

The 1500ml magnum bottle provides ideal conditions for slow, harmonious maturation of this multi-layered wine. Manincor’s biodynamic winemaking philosophy and precise craftsmanship in the cellar are evident in this wine, which impressively reflects the terroir diversity of South Tyrol. A wine of remarkable precision that masterfully embodies the balance between alpine freshness and Mediterranean fullness.