2021 Sauvignon Voglar -R-

This recent visit to Peter Dipoli included another look at the 2021s, which are shaping up to be an incredible addition to the lineage of Sauvignon Voglar. Both the straight Voglar and what is currently just referred to as the Voglar -R- are truly magnificent. The 2021s will not be released until 2025, and in the case of the -R-, in 2026. The good news is that the 2019 will hit the market this year. Dipoli held it back an extra year to allow it to mature a bit more. The two new single vineyard reds, Brenntal and Frauenriegel, are both blends of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, in this case from the 2020 vintage. These are both welcome additions to the portfolio, especially as Alto Adige works to establish its own UGA system. It will be fantastic to compare these bottlings to those from the same vineyards produced by other wineries over time. Lastly, we have the 2018 Iugum, an ethereal and remarkably pretty interpretation of Dipoli’s flagship red. Peter Dipoli remains one of the quality leaders in the region and one of my favorite stops when I visit each year.

Fans of Peter Dipoli have a lot to look forward to. This Alto Adige estate is renowned for its Voglar, one of the region's most delicate yet deeply impactful Sauvignons, and Iugum, a classic and long-lived blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. However, as of 2019, Dipoli decided to produce two more single vineyard reds. The single-vineyard Frauenriegel, a blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc and the Brenntal, a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, are both co-fermented, followed by one year of refinement in barrique. Finally, a new wine from Voglar (starting in 2021) has yet to be named. It's currently referred to as Voglar R. This varietal Sauvignon hails from the steepest portions of the vineyard, all with southern exposures. The best part is that I didn’t notice any loss of quality from the official Voglar bottling of the same vintage. Lastly, Dipoli has decided to release the 2020 Voglar before the 2019, as he feels the wine is more ready. I agree with this decision, as the 2019 is deep and complex yet could use more time to develop aromatically.