2016 Kofl Sauvignon Kurtatsch Review And Tasting Notes
The 2016 Kofl Sauvignon Kurtatsch is an intriguing and subtle wine, fragrant but not too green, with good depth and a particular character.
It is not the classic stylized Sauvignon Blanc full of pyrazine scents. On the contrary, it tends to opulence and softness, thanks to the aging in large wooden barrels. And despite that, it is still as salty as a rock.
How it is produced
It is no coincidence that the Kofl-Pennone cru is renowned for its sunny position in the Dolomites. At 600 meters, fresh winds come down from the Alps in the evening to bring refreshment and soils based on limestone and dolomite rock. The secret is this warm and dry microclimate during the day but very cool in the evening: the ideal condition for not cooking the bunches and for developing finesse of aromas and good acidity.
The bunches are harvested by hand, then pressed, and the must ferments in steel. The wine rests on the fine lees for 12 months in large oak barrels.
Organoleptic characteristics
The result is a sharp wine like the top of the Dolomites, but which does not lack a fullness that dampens the acidity in favor of complacent fatness. It is not really “fat,” but let’s say that the layers make it more full-bodied than the classic Sauvignon, all flowers and citrus.
Here the fruit is riper and enveloping, less combative, and indulges in a waltz of exotic fruit of great charm with guava, lychee, and bananas at will. Aromatic herbs, lily of the valley, ginger, and gooseberries continue to give energy and then closes with an almost pungent mineral note.
It is well played on this soft and sharp dualism on the palate. It expands and is not limited to acidity alone but seeks a fuller and three-dimensional aromatic development. Overall the structure is lean, but the depth is good and alternates juicy flavors without letting go for a moment on the palate. Finish with honey, salt, and a pinch of sage.
Price
17.90 on the winery website. The price is honest and reflects the quality of the grapes of a historic South Tyrolean cru and the winery’s commitment to producing a wine that is neither bland nor too predictable.
Food Pairings
Parmigiana ravioli, spaghetti with clams, chicken tikka masala, Chicken Cacciatore, Vitello Tonnato, truffle risotto, pasta alla carbonara.