TAL 1908, Cuvée Superior from Cantina Bolzano represents the union between tradition, innovation and the extraordinary uniqueness of the South Tyrolean terroir. This is clear from the name itself, which includes the number 1908, the year in which Cantina Gries was founded, a winery that has been able to make the most of the peculiarities of the Bolzano area. The terroir is a key element in the creation of this wine. The Bolzano basin, located between the three waterways that lap Bolzano, the Adige, the Talvera stream and the Isarco, is distinguished by its alluvial soils on a porphyritic volcanic base. This soil is the result of ancient floods that deposited layers rich in minerals. The porphyry, in particular, gives the wines a mineral note that balances their full-bodied flavour. TAL 1908, Alto Adige DOC, is made up of 83% Lagrein, with 12% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot. The careful selection of the grapes from the vineyards, where the vines are up to 50 years old, is only the first step. After vinification, TAL 1908 undergoes a delicate ageing process in three phases: 12 months in French oak barriques, 15 months in concrete tanks, where a delicate micro-oxygenation process gently interacts with the wine, and a final ageing in the bottle. Visually, the colour is deep, garnet with purple reflections, a sign of maturity and concentration. The nose reveals an intense and layered bouquet, with notes of ripe red fruits, such as blackcurrant and blackberry, combined with spicy nuances of pepper and cloves. Deeper hints of cocoa and liquorice close the olfactory experience. In the mouth, the wine is enveloping and round, with a lively mineral freshness and a persistent finish that invites you to take the next sip. Perfect with flavourful dishes such as game stews, braised meats and aged cheeses, TAL also pairs well with mushroom and truffle-based dishes.