Cabernet "Istrice" is Elena Walch's first red wine, and takes its name, meaning "porcupine" in Italian, from the prickly character of its early versions, composed mainly of Cabernet Franc blended with a small percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon. Today, after wise oenological work, "Istrice" is a smooth and juicy wine, extremely fragrant, which wins over with its bouquet of berries and sweet spices and a slight note of chocolate due to the long aging in wood
Elena Walch's Cabernet 'Istrice' was born in South Tyrol in the small village of Tramin in the northernmost part of our peninsula. Elena founded the business in 1985, revolutionising South Tyrolean quality and production methods and gaining great national and international recognition. Her working philosophy has always remained linked to the enhancement of the potential of the territory and the indigenous grape varieties: only work that respects nature, its times and the ecosystem of which her vineyards are a part has led to the quality that can still be seen today in every single product that leaves her cellar. Today she is flanked by her two daughters Julia and Karoline: a female management that looks to the future and continuous improvement.
The vineyards of Elena Walch's Cabernet 'Istrice' are located in Kaltern and their altitude reaches 400 metres above sea level; they extend over approximately 20 hectares completely planted with vines and the soil is mainly composed of limestone, clay and moraine stone with sporadic presence of sand. The climate is characterised by pleasant springs with still snow on the mountains and warm, sunny summers with considerable temperature swings between day and night for grapes with an excellent aromatic bouquet; winters are harsh with copious snowfalls. The grapes are harvested by hand; fermentation takes place in the cellar in steel vats with maceration for 10 days on the marc; followed by malolactic fermentation in casks. It matures 12 months in wood and stays in the bottle for a long period.
The colour of Elena Walch's Cabernet 'Istrice' is a garnet red with intense reflections. On the nose there are notes of berries and ripe cherries with hints of sweet spices, tobacco and chocolate; on the palate it is tasty, juicy and enveloping with well-integrated tannins and a pleasant finish. In pairing it is perfect with grilled red meat, game and first courses with elaborate sauces; also interesting with mixed cold meats of medium seasoning. Interesting to accompany the family holiday table and to enjoy the genuine flavours of the South Tyrolean land.
Intense garnet red
Notes of berries and cherries accompanied by spicy nuances and hints of tobacco and chocolate
Fresh, juicy sip with well-integrated tannins and a lingering finish