Manincor, Mason Di Mason, 2016 - Half-bottle
Manincor, Mason Di Mason, 2016 - Half-bottle
- Red Still
- 75CL
- 13%
- Pinot Noir
Couldn't load pickup availability
Full ruby red in colour, the bouquet of the 2016 Mason di Mason has a ripe Pinot Noir fruit aroma characterised by lifted violets, dark cherries, mocha, toffee, vanilla and hazelnuts on the palate. A long multi-layered mid-palate is complimented by the smooth and silky texture with soft, round, mouth-filling tannins to deliver a clean, elegant, harmonious and persistent finish full of personality.
At ten years old, this Mason di Mason has reached its drinking plateau, with primary fruit flavours now beautifully integrated with secondary development. The violet and cherry characteristics will gradually give way to more earthy, forest floor complexity over the next 3-4 years. By 2030, expect greater integration of oak influences with emerging leather and spice nuances, though the wine should maintain its elegance until 2033 before beginning a gentle decline.
Tasting Notes
AppearanceDeep ruby red with garnet highlights, showing good concentration despite the half-bottle format.
NoseLifted aromatics of dark cherry and violet immediately captivate, followed by subtle mocha and vanilla influences from careful oak integration. The alpine terroir contributes a distinctive mineral freshness that keeps the fruit expression vibrant and precise.
PalateThe mid-palate reveals impressive layers of dark cherry fruit complemented by toffee and hazelnut richness from oak ageing. Silky tannins provide structure without overwhelming the delicate Pinot Noir fruit, whilst natural acidity maintains freshness and elegance throughout.
FinishClean and persistent, with harmonious integration of fruit, oak, and mineral elements creating a refined conclusion.
Overall impressionA sophisticated Alto Adige Pinot Noir that balances alpine elegance with satisfying richness and complexity.
Food Pairings
In Alto Adige, this style of Pinot Noir traditionally accompanies speck (the region's distinctive smoked ham) served with dense rye bread and pickled vegetables. Local chefs pair it with venison goulash enriched with juniper berries, or roasted guinea fowl with sauerkraut and caraway. The wine also complements canederli (bread dumplings) in rich beef broth, and aged mountain cheeses like Stelvio or Grey cheese from the Pusteria Valley. During autumn, locals enjoy it with roasted chestnuts and new wine festivals featuring hearty game dishes.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve at 16-17°C to showcase both the fruit precision and structural complexity. Decant for 30-45 minutes to allow the wine to open fully, particularly given the concentration achieved in this 2016 vintage. Use Burgundy-style glasses with a generous bowl to capture the aromatic complexity whilst focusing the delicate Pinot Noir perfume.
The vineyards sit at elevations between 350-500 metres in Alto Adige's Caldaro zone, benefiting from dramatic diurnal temperature shifts between warm days and cool nights. Soils comprise a complex mix of limestone, dolomite, and volcanic porphyry, providing excellent drainage whilst retaining sufficient moisture. The alpine influence creates ideal conditions for Pinot Noir, allowing extended ripening whilst preserving natural acidity and aromatic complexity.
Alto Adige DOC represents Italy's northernmost wine region, where Germanic precision meets Italian passion in the shadow of the Dolomites. The denomination permits a wide range of varieties, but Pinot Noir thrives particularly well in the cooler sites around Caldaro and Bolzano. Compared to warmer Italian regions, Alto Adige Pinot Noir shows greater elegance and restraint, often displaying more Burgundian characteristics than the richer styles found further south.
The 2016 growing season in Alto Adige delivered the kind of conditions that favour the region's distinctive high-altitude viticulture. A warm, dry summer allowed grapes to ripen steadily without the excessive heat stress that can plague lower-lying Italian regions. The crucial autumn period brought cooler nights and stable weather, extending the harvest period and allowing producers to pick each variety at optimal ripeness. This balance between warmth and freshness proved particularly beneficial for the region's signature white varieties, which retained their characteristic mineral backbone whilst developing full flavour complexity.
The vintage produced wines of excellent quality across Alto Adige's diverse grape varieties. Pinot Grigio achieved impressive concentration without losing its elegant restraint, whilst Gewürztraminer displays the aromatic intensity and spice that marks the variety's finest expressions here. The reds, particularly Pinot Nero and Lagrein, show remarkable depth and structure. Most 2016 Alto Adige whites are drinking beautifully now and will continue to develop over the next three to five years, whilst the reds are approaching their optimal drinking window and should hold their quality well into the late 2020s.
FAQs
Why choose a half-bottle of this Pinot Noir?
Half-bottles are perfect for intimate dinners or when you want to enjoy a mature wine without committing to a full bottle. This 2016 Mason di Mason has developed beautifully and is drinking at peak maturity now.
How does Alto Adige Pinot Noir compare to Burgundy?
Alto Adige Pinot Noir shares Burgundy's elegance and complexity but typically shows more upfront fruit and slightly richer texture. The alpine climate creates similar diurnal temperature variations that preserve acidity whilst allowing full phenolic ripeness.
Is this wine ready to drink now?
Yes, this 2016 is drinking beautifully now and will continue to evolve gracefully until 2033. The integration of fruit, oak, and tannins has reached an ideal balance for current consumption.
What makes Manincor special among Alto Adige producers?
Manincor combines traditional South Tyrolean winemaking knowledge with modern precision, focusing on single-vineyard expressions that showcase their unique terroir. Their Mason di Mason represents their flagship Pinot Noir from their finest sites.
Should I cellar this wine further?
While this wine will continue developing until 2033, it's currently at a beautiful drinking stage. The half-bottle format is ideal for enjoying now rather than extended cellaring, as smaller formats typically evolve more quickly than standard bottles.
What food works best with this style of Pinot Noir?
This wine's elegant structure and moderate weight pair excellently with duck, game birds, mushroom dishes, and aged cheeses. The alpine character also complements traditional Alto Adige cuisine featuring speck, venison, and mountain herbs.
-
Free UK Delivery
Learn about deliveryGet free UK delivery when you spend £75 or more on duty paid wine
-
Save 30% on a host of quality wines
Our fine wines are sourced from our sister retailers, but offered at a substantial discount to their previous selling prices.