Questo vino
Vineyard and terroir
This Cabernet Sauvignon originates in Vigna Castel Ringberg, Elena Walch’s monopole surrounding the eponymous castle in Caldaro. The gently sloping parcels have complex limestone soils, and some vines are described as very old. Across the vineyard, altitudes range from 330 to 400 metres. The higher sites contain approximately 30,000-year-old glacial gravel deposited by the Adige River; calcareous soils over morainic subsoil and loose limestone occur in the lower, gentler zones. Lake Caldaro moderates temperatures, while cool nights and the dry southerly Ora wind create substantial day–night variation and ventilate the slopes. Yields are deliberately low.
Grapes
100% Cabernet Sauvignon, entirely hand-picked.
Vinification
Must fermentation lasts approximately ten days, followed by malolactic fermentation. Since 2015, gravity-fed cellar handling has reduced mechanical stress on the fruit. A highly sensitive destemmer is paired with gentle transport in a specialised rail-mounted container called a “cuvon.”
Ageing
The wine matures for 18 months in French oak barriques from Limousin and Allier, almost all of them new. Several additional months of bottle maturation precede release.
Technical data
2023: 14.00% vol alcohol, 1.4 g/L residual sugar and 5.5 g/L total acidity. Available in 0.75 L bottles. Recommended ageing is 15–20 years.
Tasting profile
Deep, dark ruby red. The complex bouquet combines wild berries, blackberry and plum with tobacco leaf, clove and dark chocolate. The palate is full-bodied and richly fruity, with pronounced tannins and fresh acidity. Juicy length, power and spice carry into the finish, while the structure promises substantial development in bottle.
Serving and pairing
Serve at 15–18°C with red meat, game or mature cheeses; it can also be enjoyed on its own.
Vintage notes
The 2023 season alternated warm and cool spells with intermittent rain. June and July brought midsummer conditions, followed by high rainfall at the start of August. A prolonged period of sunshine then supported slow ripening. Harvest began late, in early September, with ideal weather before conditions became more unsettled toward the end. Warm days and cool nights produced optimal ripeness, balanced acidity, clear fruit and good structure.
Label / history
The vineyard takes its name from the Renaissance Castel Ringberg, built by the Habsburgs in 1620. “Vigna” identifies a precisely delimited and cartographically recorded single vineyard.
