A certified organic wine with 7,500 bottles released, the 2019 Pinot Noir Krafuss is a fine expression of the Burgundian grape that needs a little extra time to open aromatically. With patience, the wine is generous with wild cherry, rose, sour plum and blue flower. Delicate spices also appear. It is lean in appearance with a medium ruby color, and the mouthfeel follows suit with freshness and fragility. The Krafuss Vineyard is located in the hills of San Michele Appiano and Montagna at 430 to 450 meters in elevation with rocky and clay calcareous soils.

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. This is a certified organic and biodynamic wine.

From Alois Lageder's Tenutae line of fine wines, the 2012 Alto Adige Pinot Noir Krafuss Tenutae Lageder shows an exact level of precision and balance. The feminine and expressive bouquet offers layers of pressed rose petal, wild berry, pine nut and balsam herb. Compared to the other Pinot Neros I tasted this year from the cold climate Alto Adige region, Lageder's wine is slightly more robust and round.

The 2009 Alto Adige Pinot Noir Krafuss Tenutae Lageder is a wine of enormous beauty and elegance. It is unbelievably silky and pure in the mouth and boasts brilliant varietal tones of small forest fruit, toasted nut, dried violets, mountain herb and cola. There is substance and persistency here, but the wine also shows feminine grace and understated charm. The mouthfeel is the epitome of silkiness.

The 2008 Pinot Noir Krafuss wafts from the glass with dried cherries, sweet herbs and crushed flowers. The 2008 shows off gorgeous inner perfume and lovely sensuality to match its feminine personality. This is a hugely appealing, juicy Pinot to enjoy over the next few years. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2016. Alois Lageder now has two distinct ranges. The Alois Lageder wines are made from purchased fruit, while the Tenutae Lageder wines are made from estate-owned vineyards, many of which are farmed biodynamically.Importer: Dalla Terra, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 259-5405