Closed in its trademark screw cap, the Franz Haas 2019 Alto Adige Pinot Nero Schweizer is a a true beauty. Some 15,000 bottles were made. There is so much freshness here, and the wine offers all the brilliant floral and wild berry tones that are characteristic of this delicate grape. This wine delivers those varietal aromas with flare. It ages in barrique for 12 months, with 30% new oak.

The 2018 Alto Adige Pinot Nero Schweizer is a bit more austere compared to the estate's classic version of the grape, and it's not as vibrant or fresh overall. Presented in a screw-cap bottle, this wine reveals candied fruit, sweet violet, wild berry and a touch of baked clay. Overall, I found the 2018 vintage of Pinot Nero in Alto Adige uneven and hard to read. This wine, however, does show nice depth and length. Production is 15,000 bottles.

Celebrating its 30th vintage, the Franz Haas 2017 Alto Adige Pinot Nero Schweizer is full of surprises, all of which happily defy any expectation of this difficult vintage. The wine is unexpectedly cool and minty in character, with tonic forest fruit, raspberry, spicy cedar, cola and some tangy rosemary essence. Silky and smooth in terms of mouthfeel, it shows less density or volume than one could have anticipated from the concentrated 2017 fruit. The results are soft and delicate throughout, making it a fine Pinot Nero for pheasant or wild turkey. Some 15,000 bottles were made.

Topped with a screwcap, the 2016 Alto Adige Pinot Nero Schweizer offers earthy tones on the back of redcurrant, cherry, wild roses and grilled herbs. This wine always offers above-average precision and focus, but this beautiful vintage takes it all to the next level. The wine is mild and silky in terms of mouthfeel, and the persistence is long and fresh. Enjoy it with a cheesy ground beef and pea risotto.

From a warm vintage, the 2015 Alto Adige Pinot Nero Schweizer opens to a slightly darker tone with deep garnet highlights and a rich quality of fruit. The bouquet reveals layers of red fruit, cassis and dried mint leaf. The wine fans out over the palate with broad appeal and more concentration compared to Franz Haas's 2016 Alto Adige Pinot Nero released at the same time. In truth, this 2015 vintage has less vertical intensity compared to that beautiful wine from 2016. Some 15,000 bottles were produced.