WE CANNOT WAIT

2021 Somerled Lagrein

Now, we must admit, a few of us hadn't heard of Lagrein before Rob surprised us

with the news that he’d been toying with the idea of introducing one to our range. 

So, if you don’t know much about this variety, let’s find out more…

PS

Rob is only making a very small quantity so make sure you put your orders in when it’s released.

Pronounced lah-GRAH’EEN, lah-GRINE or lah-GRI’NE.

(So basically you can pronounce it however you like!)

Lagrein is an ancient grape variety that finds its home in the sunny vineyards of the Alto Adige wine region in northeastern Italy.

Alto Adige is the Italian name for South Tyrol (Sudtirol in German), which was part of Austria until after World War I when it was handed over to Italy. It’s right at the top of the 'boot' in boot-shaped Italy!

Lagrein in Australia

Lagrein’s second home is Australia and is synonymous with Victoria’s Macedon Ranges.

It was first grown there in 1993, and the Cobaw Ridge winery has been consistently making Australia’s most notable example since its first commercial vintage in 1998.

The variety is also doing well here in the Adelaide Hills, on the Limestone Coast, and in McLaren Vale (which is where Rob has sourced ours from).

Lagrein has also been planted in the Riverland, but it doesn’t do as well as some of the Southern Italian varieties that are found there. In warmer areas, lagrein is often used as a blending component.

There isn’t much of it to speak of in other parts of the world. The Marlborough wine region in New Zealand grows some and you’ll also find it in California. 

Vineyard & winemaking

Lagrein needs ample sunshine to ripen, but it also prefers cooler nights to retain acidity.

It needs ample sunshine to ripen, but it also prefers cooler nights to retain acidity.

It'ss a variety that buds late, so generally avoids frost issues. It can also ripen late in colder regions. It does, however, achieve great flavour intensity at relatively low sugar levels.

Lagrein can be made as a bright and fresh wine but equally can be made into denser and more structured wines that will accommodate oak ageing.

And for those of you who know Rob (and his wines) you can probably guess which style he’s heading for! Especially considering the fruit is from the warmer climes of McLaren Vale.

What does it taste like?

Lagrein is one of Italy’s more fruit-intense red varieties. The flavour usually sits in the darker fruit spectrum with plummy and dark cherry/berry notes.

Lagrein wines are rarely rich or overtly sweet-fruited. They have intense but not overly drying tannins.

We can NOT wait to share this one with you.

Rob is only making a very small quantity so make sure you put your orders in when it’s released.