2023 Castel Firmian Pinot Nero, Trentino

The Castel Firmian Pinot Nero from Trentino is a striking example of how Pinot Noir can flourish in Italy’s far north, expressing delicacy and purity shaped by the Alpine landscape. Produced by Mezzacorona, a historic cooperative founded in 1904, this wine reflects over a century of winemaking tradition in Trentino, a region where vineyards climb along the Adige River Valley at the foot of the Dolomites. The area’s unique mesoclimate is shaped by warm daytime sunshine tempered by crisp mountain nights, allowing Pinot Nero to ripen slowly while preserving natural acidity and aromatic complexity. The soils are predominantly alluvial with deposits of limestone and glacial stones, providing excellent drainage and contributing to the wine’s mineral tension and fine structure.

Grapes are harvested by hand at optimal ripeness to ensure balanced fruit and freshness. After gentle destemming and fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel to preserve the aromatic profile, a portion is aged in oak to bring subtle structure and spice. The careful use of oak is designed not to dominate but to support the fruit, maintaining the elegance and transparency that Pinot Nero demands. Mezzacorona’s approach combines traditional vineyard knowledge with modern winemaking precision, resulting in a wine that’s consistently clean, vibrant, and varietally true.

In the glass, the wine shimmers with a luminous ruby colour, typical of Pinot Nero grown in cooler climates. The nose is finely etched and expressive, with layers of wild strawberries, fresh raspberries, red currants and cherries, intertwined with floral notes of violets and a delicate hint of alpine herbs. Subtle undertones of white pepper, cinnamon, and cedar from gentle oak ageing add complexity without overpowering the fruit. The palate is light to medium-bodied, silky, and precise, delivering juicy red berry flavours with savoury nuances and a mineral backbone. Tannins are fine-grained and beautifully integrated, while the bright acidity carries the flavours through to a clean, elegant finish tinged with spice and red fruit.

This Pinot Nero excels with food thanks to its freshness and balanced structure. It pairs superbly with earthy dishes like mushroom risotto or porcini tagliatelle, grilled duck breast with cherry glaze, roast chicken with thyme and lemon, or a charcuterie board featuring speck and aged Asiago cheese. Its vibrant fruit and subtle spice also make it a great match for seared tuna or herb-roasted pork. While the wine is crafted for early to medium-term enjoyment, drinking well in its first five years, it can also develop a touch more savoury depth with short cellaring.