Istrice was the first red wine produced by Elena Walch. The curious name is evocative of the "angularity" of the Cabernet Franc that was initially predominant (with a small proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon). The wine - as the winery well explains - showed "its thorns", just like the little hedgehogs in the park of the family winery. Today, the percentages in the Istrice blend have totally changed and Cabernet Sauvignon accounts for about 90% of the total. Today, the wine has gained in elegance and finesse and continues to be one of Walch's favourite red wines. Vineyards in the area of Tramin, in the province of Bolzano, at an altitude of around 900 metres above sea level, Istrice is fermented in stainless steel followed by malolactic fermentation in barrels. This is followed by a long 12-month maturation in French oak barriques and bottle ageing. Brilliant garnet red, it has intriguing spicy aromas reminiscent of red berries and cherries, combined with spices such as white pepper and chocolate. In the mouth it surprises for its great sapidity. The tannic structure is precise and elegant, with a fruity and spicy density and a persistent finish.