Delicate and fine, the Alois Lageder 2018 Pinot Noir Krafuss (now a Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT wine) is redolent of wild berry, blue flower, crushed stone and orange peel. This wine embraces the subtle side of the grape and produces a lasting sense of balance and freshness. The aromatic intensity of this vintage is perhaps a little undertone and thin compared to recent past vintages (like the excellent 2016 edition that comes to mind); however, the wine has all its elements meticulously in place.\n Producer Information\n Alois Lageder is a renowned wine producer in Alto Adige, Italy's northernmost wine region. The estate was established in 1823 and has been family owned and operated since. It makes a wide range of wines from both native and international grape varieties, including Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Schiava and Lagrein. The estate consists of around 110 hectares (272 acres) of vineyard land across the region, including plots in Magrè, Cortaccia, Bolzano, San Michele and Appiano. This diversity of vineyard, which covers a vast range of exposures, soils, and mesoclimates, means that Alois Lageder can have a wide range of grape varieties, depending on the terroir of the individual site. The main range includes three product lines. The top wines (Masterpieces) come from some of Lageder's best vineyard sites. The selection features mostly single variety wines, though the intriguing Casòn duo are a Viognier-Petit Manseng, and a Tannat-based red blend. To mark the 30th anniversary of the Löwengang Chardonnay and Cabernet wines, special editions were bottled. These are blends of the 2013, 2014 and 2015 vintages. Below this sits a range of single-vineyard wines from other vineyard sites, known as Compositions. There are around eight whites and three reds. Thirdly comes the Classical Grape Varieties line of whites and reds, plus a rosé made from Lagrein. Most, but not all are monovarietal bottlings. The grapes are sourced from across the estate. Alois Lageder also owns a pair of subsidiary brands, Riff and Terra Alpina. The company works with partner growers to source the fruit for these wines.
