Tramin : Loam Cabernet-Merlot Riserva 2021

Tasting characteristics and advice for the Loam Cabernet-Merlot Riserva 2021 from Tramin

Tasting

Appearance
The wine displays a deep ruby-red color with garnet highlights at the rim of the glass, reflecting its maturity and complexity.

Nose
The nose reveals a compact bouquet of dark fruits with aromas of wild cherry and blackcurrant. Delicate notes of spice, dark chocolate, and fine herbs round out the profile. With aeration, nuances of dried plums, cedarwood, and subtle vanilla emerge, alongside hints of mint and minerality.

Palate
On the palate, this wine charms with its juicy, elegant character, a generous body, and a concentrated fruit expression. Flavors of blackberry and black cherry take the lead, accompanied by notes of dried fruit and red berries. Extremely fine, velvety tannins provide density and structure without harshness. The silky texture and well-balanced acidity lend freshness and vibrancy throughout. The long, lingering finish leaves an impression of refinement and harmony.

Food and wine pairings
The Loam Cabernet-Merlot Riserva 2021 pairs perfectly with roasted meats and game, notably venison or wild boar. It also elegantly complements herb-crusted beef and lamb preparations, as well as traditional slow-cooked dishes. Aged, creamy cheeses also make excellent partners for this characterful wine.

Serving and cellaring
The Loam Cabernet-Merlot Riserva 2021 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 16 and 18°C. Decanting for one to two hours before serving allows the wine to fully open up and reveal its aromatic complexity. This wine can be cellared until around 2036 and will continue to develop its aromatic range over the years.

A characterful red wine from Trentino-Alto Adige

The estate
Founded in 1898, Cantina Tramin is one of the oldest cooperative wineries in Trentin-Haut-Adige. Located in the village of Termeno on the wine route, it now brings together 160 winegrowing families who farm around 270 hectares of vineyards. Under the leadership of Willi Stürz, cellar master since 1992, and President Leo Tiefenthaler, the cooperative has risen to the very top of Alpine viticulture. In 2025, it was named the world’s best cooperative winery by the German magazine Weinwirtschaft. Tramin is particularly renowned for its outstanding white wines, notably Gewürztraminer, and for its range of premium cuvées, including Loam.

The vineyard
The Loam Cabernet-Merlot Riserva comes from the Ronchi vineyard, located in the southern part of Termeno in Alto Adige, at an altitude between 250 and 350 meters. The vines, 15 to 25 years old, are planted on slopes facing 90% southeast and 10% south. The gravelly limestone soils with silty components rest on a base of volcanic porphyry, providing minerality and heat-retention capacity. This protected micro-zone benefits from a contrasting climate, with around 300 days of sunshine per year and cool nights shaped by downslope winds from the surrounding mountains. These conditions allow late-ripening varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot to reach optimal physiological ripeness.

The vintage
The 2021 vintage in Alto Adige was marked by a long winter that delayed budbreak until early April. A drop in temperatures after budbreak slowed flowering, encouraging a gradual growing season. Summer brought variable conditions, with a particularly hot June and a humid July, ideally setting the stage for ripening. August proved sunny and dry, with remarkably low nighttime temperatures that favored aromatic concentration while preserving acidity. Harvest began around ten days later than the previous year, allowing perfectly ripe, healthy grapes to be picked. The 2021 vintage produced red wines with ripe tannins and bright, fresh fruit aromas, offering excellent balance and remarkable aging potential.

Winemaking and aging
The grapes for the Loam Cabernet-Merlot Riserva 2021 are hand-harvested in early October and delivered to the cellar in small crates. After gentle pressing, fermentation takes place at a controlled temperature of 26°C in large oak casks, with regular pump-overs to extract color and aromas. The wine is then aged for 12 months in barrels, followed by 6 months in larger oak casks, then at least a further 6 months in bottle before release. This staggered maturation of a minimum of 24 months allows the wine to develop complexity while harmoniously integrating the influence of oak.

Grape varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon (50%)
Merlot (30%)
Cabernet Franc (20%)