Franz Haas, `Schweizer` Pinot Nero
Vintage: 2021
| Vintage | Product Code | Format | Closure | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | HA121B21 | 6 x 75 | Screwcap | Available |
Producer
The Haas family have grown grapes in Montagna, within the province of Bolzano, for generations. However, it was only with Franz, who sadly passed in 2022, that they began to produce and bottle quality wines. Franz studied at Geisenheim in Germany before working as a broker of Italian wines in the German market. After several years, he took over the running of the family business.
Franz Haas went to tremendous lengths to grow quality grapes and strived to preserve the flavours of the fruit during winemaking. As a result, the wines that he produces are infused with great character, purity and balance on the palate. To maintain the aromatic quality of his wines, Franz Haas bottled his entire production under screwcap from the 2018 vintage onwards. A revolutionary choice, as he was one of the first Italian wine producers to have done so.
His Pinot Nero is one of Italy’s best. It is light in colour yet bursting with varietal character on both the nose and palate, with a lovely tannic structure. Of his whites, the Pinot Grigio is classic and fresh, and the ‘Lepus’ is an excellent expression of Pinot Bianco. The flagship wine is the ‘Schweizer’ Manna, which comprises a blend of Riesling, barrel-fermented Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Kerner and barrel-fermented Sauvignon Blanc. Rich and complex with abundant ageing potential, it stands among Italy’s finest white wines. The aromatic quality of the Riesling and Gewürztraminer shines through in the glass, complemented by depth and texture achieved through a subtle use of oak on the Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
Vineyards
The grapes for the Pinot Nero Schweizer are sourced from selected vineyard sites that have proven ideal for this variety due to their unique microclimates. These vineyards are located at elevations between 350 and 700 meters above sea level and span a diverse range of soil types. Just a few meters apart, one can find silt, sand, limestone, and pebbly soils, contributing to the complexity of the wine. The high vine density—ranging from 8,000 to 12,500 plants per hectare—enables the production of exceptionally high-quality grapes. In addition, a rigorous in-house selection of low-yielding clones has ensured a consistent and evolving standard of quality over the years.
Vintage
The spring of 2021 was marked by unusually low temperatures, which delayed vine flowering by several weeks. As a result, the harvest began later than usual. Although yields were modest, the fruit displayed outstanding health and quality.
Vinification
The grapes were vinified in open-top, stainless-steel tanks. During fermentation, the cap was frequently punched down and pumped over. These techniques allowed for maximum colour and fragrance extraction from the skins. At the end of the fermentation, the wine was transferred to barriques for malolactic fermentation and aged in barrel for 12 months. The wine was then aged for another year in bottle before release.
Tasting Notes & Technical Details
Ruby red in colour, this wine shows complex aromas of mixed berries, cherries and spicy notes of pepper and leather. On the palate, it is elegant and subtle with soft but mouth-filling tannins. A fine structure gives great length and promises good ageing potential.
Alcohol (ABV)
13.5%
Acidity
5.8 g/l
Residual Sugar
1 g/l
pH
3.61
Other wines from this producer
Producer | Wine | Product Code | Features | Style | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franz Haas | Dolomiti Pinot Grigio | HA102 | W | Factsheet | |
| `Lepus` Pinot Bianco | HA103 | W | Factsheet | ||
| Gewürztraminer | HA104 | W | Factsheet | ||
| `Schweizer` Manna | HA105 | W | Factsheet | ||
| `Schweizer` Moscato Rosa | HA107 | Sw | Factsheet | ||
| Pinot Nero | HA109 | R | Factsheet | ||
| `Pònkler` Single Vineyard Pinot Nero | HA112 | R | Factsheet |