Smart Swiss wines from Viticoltura Rohner-Erni
Website: https://www.rohnererni.ch/
I tasted this wine with winemaker Madlaina Erni, who took over from her father back in 2016.
Rohner Erni is based in Misox, in the south of Graubünden, which is a canton on the Italian side of Switzerland. It’s a green, mountainous region and this is heroic, alpine viticulture, with many of the vineyards on terraces on the steep hillsides. Everything is done by hand, and there’s an emphasis on encouraging biodiversity. Farming is organic.
In the winery, the approach is low intervention, and all fermentations are with indigenous yeasts.
Rohner Erni Il Saggio 2023 Graubünden, Switzerland
This is Chardonnay from 50 year old vines in sandy granitic soils. Wild ferment then aged 22 months in used French oak. Lively and expressive with a bold acid line and some sweetness to the acid, showing good tension and some direct lemony fruit, as well as some pear richness. 93/100
Rohner Erni Chardonnay Z 2023 Graubünden, Switzerland
50 year old vines in limestone soils, from higher vineyards. This is powerful, saline and mineral with lovely tension and good acidity. So bright with great energy. Lively acidity and a saline finish. 94/100
Rohner Erni Gemma Spumante 2022 Graubünden, Switzerland
Sparkling Merlot. 70 days on skins, bottle fermented with 34 months on lees. Fresh, meaty and vivid with nice direct fruit, as well as some cured meat notes. Nice presence with a bit of grip. 92/100
Rohner Erni Arte 2023 Graubünden, Switzerland
Merlot, 70 days on skins, no oak. Supple with nice elegance, and a stony edge to the restrained cherry and berry fruits. Lovely balance here with fine spices. 93/100
Rohner Erni La Fiducia Merlot 2022 Graubünden, Switzerland
22 months in used oak. Savoury, spicy edge to the nose, and a core of sweet fruit but then some structure. Grippy and restrained, showing nice balance. 93/100
Rohner Erni Zizersa Pinot Noir 2022 Graubünden, Switzerland
Supple and juicy with nice red fruits and a bit of grip. Lively and layered with some richness but also freshness, and a vivid spice-laden finish. 93/100
