Cupido Verticale Tasting 2000 – 2019
at Wein & Co Bregenz, June 18, 2025
A truly exceptional evening that has never taken place in this form: at Wein & Co Bregenz, wine lovers had the rare opportunity to taste a unique vertical of our CUPIDO – covering every vintage from 2000 to 2019.
A heartfelt thank you to Brigitte and the amazing team at Wein & Co Bregenz for the perfect organization and wonderful hospitality.
Our special thanks go to Elmar Chiesola, who supplied the rare and long out-of-print bottles for this tasting – an opportunity that will likely never come again.
CUPIDO – our centerpiece and our love letter to Blaufränkisch. It is made only in the best vintages. A wine full of depth, elegance, and longevity, telling stories from the first to the last bottle.
Tasting Notes:
Cupido 2019. l’amour au tournant. Turning point of love.
Initially intense and aromatic. Lots of dark berries, especially plums and blueberries. Accented with floral notes, followed by roast aromas: chocolate, tobacco, smoke, and even an earthy component. On the palate, full-bodied and concentrated – vanilla spice, licorice. Again, you taste chocolate, tobacco, and smoke. It’s rounded off by firm – yet pleasantly ripe – tannins and juicy, lively acidity. The finish seems endless. Potential unfolds with time in the glass: ten or more years is guaranteed.
Cupido 2017. jeu amoureux. Game of love.
Dark spice up front, combined with hints of ripeness. Just behind, primary aromas: dark fruits, including forest fruit preserve, plums, and blackberries. Nothing intrusive – everything very elegant and almost modest. Earthy notes along with coffee and vanilla join in. The first sip delivers more than the nose promised. The same aromas reappear here, but the sensation is the true star: lots of extract sweetness provides a full-bodied experience without being too much. Just perfectly dosed. Elegant and silky. Not only is the texture spot-on, but the structure holds with it – the high tannin is still somewhat astringent and supported by noticeable acidity. The finish is eternal, as is the potential of this wine: more than a decade is in store.
Cupido 2015. amour infini. Infinite love.
With nearly 10 years of bottle age, this wine is no longer as primary-fruity as the younger vintages. Primarily lots of chocolate and smoky elements. Smoked bacon and tobacco. Black tea and rum preserve. In the end, dark fruits still emerge. Concentrated power on the palate: lots of extract and ripe fruit. Elegance may no longer be the word, yet the result is coherent and harmonious. The tannin is still on the higher end, but with a pleasantly silky texture. Long finish. Still plenty of potential – if ten years counts.
Cupido 2012. désir amoureux. Desire of love.
Very restrained. Initially dominated by spice and roast aromas. Green leaves, thyme, and pepper; cocoa, bitter chocolate, and homemade pudding come to mind. Gradually, dark berries and ripe fruit aromas surface. Cherry jam aroma entices a bite. Elegant and delicate on the palate. The spicy character remains. The tannin is perfectly matured: it lays silkily over the tongue. In contrast, the high acidity feels almost refreshing – promising at least another ten years in the bottle.
Cupido 2011. ange de l’amour. Angel of love.
Wow. Marzipan. Cherry. “My treasure” or “Mon Chéri,” Middle-earth or ancient Rome – in any case: Cupido. Green leaves and eucalyptus bring freshness; meaty-earthy aromas promise substance, and freshly cooked jam brings charm. The oak influence seems to stay in the background; subtle hints of chocolate, tobacco, and yeast. On the palate, powerful, concentrated, full-bodied. Rich in extract, juicy, yet elegant. Gentle but cool tannins, supported by lively acidity. A textbook example of the balance between power & finesse. Nothing stands in the way of another seven years – or drink now.
Cupido 2009. beauté éternelle. Eternal beauty.
16 years old and still shy. Dominant spice, ripe leaves, tomato, and pepper. Gradually plums and blackberries emerge. Chocolate and tobacco. Grassy aromas and mint bring freshness. Restrained on the palate but still full-bodied and extract-rich. The structure remains powerful and youthful. Acidity is still distinctive and fresh, with firm tannins of medium intensity. Potential? At least another ten years.
Cupido 2007. forces magiques. Magic forces.
Highly spiced, plenty of pepper, tobacco, subtle smoke. Forest floor and forest berries – both preserved fruits and dried bananas, milk chocolate, and caramel. Ripe fruit notes, yeast aromas, and almonds. The first sip convinces: concentrated and elegant. Does not hide its maturity. Fresh acidity and fine velvety tannins create a clear and precise experience. Will continue to develop over the next seven years.
Cupido 2006. passion immortelle. Immortal passion.
Lat.: nice. Above all tertiary aromas, the wine shows fresh spice, forest floor, and subtle raisins. Gradually more appears: dried fruit, papaya, cherry, Morello cherry, milk chocolate, mint, graphite. Medium-bodied with the necessary concentration to stay elegant at the same time. Primarily dark-fruited and spice-fresh. Wine at its peak: acidity still vibrant rather than boring, very fine tannins with just the right bite. Anyone interested – for whatever reason – could wait another five years.
Cupido 2004. coup de foudre. Love at first sight.
Pleasant ripeness, radiating coolness. Dark fruits and ripe strawberries accented by leaves, green spices, and piquant paprika with tomato. Cool on the palate as well. Subtle hints of mushrooms. Also forest floor, smoky and meaty. Structure almost youthful, medium acidity, and fine-grained tannin. Combined with medium-bodied weight, this offers very pleasant drinkability – harmonious and round. Still promises about five years of potential now.
Cupido 2003. péché mignon. Little sin.
More wine than should fit in a bottle. Ripe fruit, lots of spice yet still fresh. Piquant paprika, tomato, but also plums, blueberries, and blackberries. Pepper and cocoa. Very concentrated. Rich in extract yet elegant. Fine structure is accompanied by tertiary aromas. Slightly nutty, some raisins, and preserved forest fruits. Acidity is on the higher side; tannin is finely dosed but still very present. Youthful with mature aroma. Now is the time – don’t wait anymore.
Cupido 2002. amour fou. Crazy love.
Ethereal nose. Subtle spice, dark chocolate, yeasty notes, and beans in tomato sauce. Plums and ripe cherries. Cloves, pepper, and red chili mingle with tea aromas. High acidity and herbal notes bring the necessary freshness to counterbalance the extract. The little remaining tannin has a silky, smooth texture. The finish doesn’t want to end. If you’re fortunate enough to still have some from this vintage… key word: now.
Cupido 2000. bon marriage. Happy union.
Very mature but without oxidation – finely spiced, meaty-smoky, tobacco. Underlying dark fruits, plums, blueberries, and fully ripe cherries. Earthy chocolaty undertone. Delicate, elegant structure. Medium acidity and a touch of very fine-grained tannin. Leaves a silky mouthfeel. No need to wait – Cupido has flown upward and reached its zenith. Open the bottle and enjoy the view.
