Merlot

Deep ruby red colour. Bright, fresh and savoury aromas and flavours of blueberries, flint, coffee and fresh herbs. Long and clean with soft tannins and very good clarity on the bright finish. A beautiful, very refined wine, characterised by its early attractiveness, but also by its velvet-pawed concentration and complexity. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2019 Rivarossa, a blend of Cabernet and Merlot, takes its time to evolve in the glass. It's coy at first, with hints of dried black cherry. Swirling slowly unlocks depths of sage and exotic spice. This displays silky textures as a polished wave of red and black fruits swirls across a stream of zesty acidity. The 2019 slowly saturates the palate in youthful concentration, along with fine-grained tannins, while finishing long, structured and leaving a pleasant bitter tinge. There is potential here, yet it will require serious patience to unlock." Vinous

"Raspberry, blackcurrant bush and bark on the nose. Also some pencil. Full-bodied, but not overwhelming, with linear and polished tannins that run the length of the wine. Very solid and structured, but with a certain openness on the finish." James Suckling

Dark ruby, finely spicy bouquet, juicy cherry notes and delicate caramel. Elegant texture, with firm tannins and well structured. A round wine and ideal food companion. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright ruby red. A nose of ripe cherries and ripe plums, plus a hint of blackberries and milk chocolate, reverberating on dried rose petal. Fleshy and juicy on the palate, showing creamy fruit core with great tension, reverberating with savoury tannin and fine pressure." Falstaff

"Sweet herbs mix with peppery florals and freshly crushed blackberries as the 2017 Merlot blossoms in the glass. This envelopes the palate with mineral-tinged red and blue fruits as zesty acidity keeps the expression amazingly fresh, yet decidedly savory. A staining of primary concentration lingers through the lightly structured finale, along with a salty flourish that keeps the mouth watering for more. Very nice." Vinous

Quercegobbe with a sparkling, rich ruby violet colour. Clear and memorable nose with notes of blackberries, raspberries and ripe cherries. Full-bodied attack, opens up with supple tannins. Sweet melting texture on the finish, fresh and clear, powerful finish. SUPERIORE.DE

Merlot Siebeneich sparkles in a rich ruby red colour. The bouquet has aromas of cranberries and dried plums, mint and eucalyptus. The spicy flavour is equally multi-faceted with beautiful fruit. Structured, deep and long. SUPERIORE.DE

"This Merlot from the mountains shows its connection to Bordeaux and at the same time preserves its South Tyrolean identity. When the wine opens, aromas of black plums, herbal tea, tobacco and mixed spices emanate from the glass. Elegant and balanced, the wine shines with restrained fruit and balanced tannins and finishes with a minerality of gravel." Wine Enthusiast

"A bright and fruity merlot with ripe cherries, spiced plums, hibiscus and chocolate. Juicy and tense, with good volume and bright acidity. Medium- to full-bodied. Round-textured and mouth-filling, with notes of bitter oranges at the end." James Suckling

Deep garnet red, in the fruity bouquet notes of red berries, wild herbs, cherries, plums and a hint of undergrowth and figs. Beautiful structure and elegance, spicy, dense, round, smooth tannins and a subtle vanilla note. A charming Merlot that spoils the palate. SUPERIORE.DE

The single-varietal Merlot Focus beguiles with its elegant aroma of red fruits and warm, balsamic tones. The fresh taste is characterised by the typical spiciness and the lively tannins of a high-quality and rare Merlot from the Colli Orientali. SUPERIORE.DE

"Deep ruby. Cool climate Merlot aromas and flavors with flinty red berries, wet stones, fresh herbs, with only minimal notes of coffee and cocoa. Vibrant and long on the juicy finish. A 22 years old, single vineyard Merlot from Prepotto." Vinous

"A soft and beautiful wine with hazelnut, coffee and chocolate aromas and flavors. Mint and eucalyptus notes, too. Full to medium body. Round and soft tannins. Complex and long." James Suckling

Beautiful interpretation of the grape variety: Herbaceous and minty notes on the nose, plus lavender and sage. Then very tasty and complex on the palate of dark fruits, dried cherries, complemented by tones of undergrowth and tobacco. A touch of fine tannins, minerals and traces of rosemary and liquorice lead this medium-bodied red seductively into a sophisticated final. SUPERIORE.DE

Villa Gresti is an exciting cuvée of Merlot and Carménère that represents a very nice balance between fruit intensity, spice, ripe cherry and sweet tobacco. Medium-bodied on the palate, with a softness and a very attractive, drinkystyle and a rich, fruit-accentuated finish. Classic Bordeaux style. SUPERIORE.DE

"Medium garnet red colour with slightly limited transparency and an orange rim. Elegant nose of cherries, blackberries, wild berries and beetroot, underlaid with thyme and leather. Fresh and juicy on the palate with good balance, round and fine-grained tannins and a herbaceous final." Falstaff

"The 2020 Villa Gresti di San Leonardo enchants with a beguiling bouquet that mingles pine shavings with incense, white pepper and wild blueberries. It is a model of purity, with silky textures and medium body weight, while a wave of ripe red and blue fruit swirls over a stream of cooling acidity. The finish is exceptionally long yet fresh and lively. A hint of sour citrus and slightly grippy tannins punctuate beautifully. The 2020 is a profoundly elegant yet savoury vintage from Ville Gresti. I love it." Vinous

"Stemy herbs, tea leaves, white pepper and dried lychees on the nose. Also a hint of charcoal. Juicy and round on the palate, with silky tannins and a herbal, peppery finish. An effortlessly drinkable red wine with excellent acidity." James Suckling

Elegant, full and soft Merlot Siebeneich with a slightly balsamic, earthy and meaty bouquet. Firm and multi-layered on the palate with flavours of small dark berries and herbs, gentle tannins and good length. Very delicate and with great potential. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark, intense ruby red with violet reflections. Ripe nose with hints of plum, blackberry and dark chocolate. Slightly vegetal on the palate with fine tannins, balanced and lingering on the finish." Falstaff

From the highest corner of the Vigna Istine (the name 550 refers to the metres above sea level), surrounded by cool forests, this balanced Merlot is vinified in concrete before spending around 15 months in lightly toasted tonneaux. Due to the cool location, it is - unusually - harvested after the Sangiovese, so that it has more time to mature on the vine. The result is a wine with a fine tannic structure and juicy, ripe blue fruit, with a hint of red fruit and some coffee notes leading to a long, graceful finish. Production is 2,600 bottles per vintage. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2021 550 is 100% Merlot planted in Vigna Istine, in Radda, at an elevation of 550 meters. Dark and sumptuous in the glass, with terrific energy, the 2021 captures all the pedigree of the year. Blackberry, sage, menthol, licorice and chocolate abound. This sumptuous, decidedly Tuscan Merlot hits all the right notes." Vinous

A 100% Merlot from the Colli Orientali is always special: intense, full thrust of fruit with a wonderfully plush texture and simultaneous definition, although the style remains powerful, ripe and intense. Flowers, spices and liquorice add race and class to this exceptional wine. Great Merlot cinema. SUPERIORE.DE

Dark garnet red with ruby red reflections. Complex bouquet of wild berries, underlaid with a hint of spice and cocoa. Dark fruit again on the palate, some smoke and tar, the fine-meshed tannins lend a wonderful structure, with a delicate woody spice on the finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark, impenetrable purple-red colour. Flattering aromas of dark chocolate, liquorice and stewed plums on the nose. Surprisingly fresh on the palate with soft tannins and a long, chocolaty finish." Falstaff

"A youthful and juicy red showing aromas of black cherries, vanilla, chocolate and orange. It’s medium- to full-bodied with creamy and broad tannins." James Suckling

"Le Merle" is named after the Merlot-loving blackbirds that compete with the harvest workers during the grape harvest. Eleonora and Elena Charrère made a conscious decision to cultivate a variety of international origin, Merlot, which is very rare in the region, in order to challenge the terroir and create a wine of great consistency and richness.

Light ruby red colour. A cornucopia of small black fruits, cranberries and blackberry jam on the nose, with floral notes of violets and roses. Flavoursome spices enhance the taste experience on the palate and finish softly with notes of roasted cocoa. A very successful alpine interpretation of the grape variety. SUPERIORE.DE

"Brilliant purple-ruby colour with a deep dark core. Hearty bouquet of juicy plum, sweet tobacco, paprika powder, leather and blood, exciting. Powerful and with juicy fruit on the palate, compact tannins, yet with supporting acidity, balanced and with a long finish." Falstaff

"A full-bodied red with blue plums, cherries, hot chocolate and hazelnuts on the nose. It’s creamy and velvety with firm tannins and a ripe core of blue and purple fruit." James Suckling

Deep ruby red colour, lush notes of cherries, strawberries and sweet oak spice, vanilla and black pepper. The Sangiovese gives the blend great freshness and is in perfect balance with the silky and soft tannins of the Merlot. Overall rich, but always elegant and with great persistence. A complex, excellently structured red of absolute Supertuscan quality. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Gianni Brunelli Le Chiuse di Sotto 2020 Amor Costante is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Sangiovese and offers a lovely richness with a medium body interwoven with blackberry, wild plum, spice and sweet tobacco. The softness and texture come from the Merlot, while the Sangiovese provides freshness and fresh cherry flavours. Only 2,360 bottles were produced." Wine Advocate

"The 2020 Amor Costante keeps the glass swirling as dried violets, stone dust and exotic spices accentuate an enticing blend of wild berries and red plums. This is velvety smooth with medium-bodied weight, ushering in textural waves of red and blue fruits offset by sour citrus tones and saline-tinged acidity. It finishes long and structured with fine-grained tannins and a tart resonance of currants and licorice, yet the 2020 remains surprisingly fresh through it all. Patience will be required, yet also rewarded. What a treat." Vinous

Now available again in small quantities after a break of many years: Dario Raccaro's Merlot is a deep, expressive wine that presents opulent tones of blackberry jam and blackcurrants. In other circumstances, such a fruit-driven wine would taste heavy and one-dimensional. However, thanks to the unique buffer of cool Collio air and the heavier clay soils, the wine shows a fascinating personality and, despite its concentration, a great elegance that increases with further aeration. A dense vein of minerals and spices is woven into the long finish. A true showpiece for this grape variety, which is also rarely found in the Collio. SUPERIORE.DE

Deep ruby red colour, lush notes of cherries, strawberries and sweet oak spice, vanilla and black pepper. The Sangiovese gives the blend great freshness and is in perfect balance with the silky and soft tannins of the Merlot. Overall rich, but always elegant and with great persistence. A complex, excellently structured red wine in absolute Super Tuscan quality and produced in a limited edition of just under 3,000 bottles. SUPERIORE.DE

"A round, juicy and flavourful red wine. The nose shows notes of blackcurrant, cassis and sweet spices. It is medium to full-bodied with fine tannins. Fine texture with control. A lively core of juicy berries in the centre meets vibrant spices and herbs leading into the lively finish." James Suckling

"This wine is a lot of fun with bright cherry, pomegranate and chewy Jolly Rancher candy aromas. That combination adds to the brightness and richness of the mouthfeel. You gotta love this departure from classic Montalcino. This is not a terroir-driven wine, but it's a fun wine to drink nonetheless." Wine Advocate

Rich, deep dark ruby with violet glints. Its scent reminds of black fruits, liquorice, coffee and dark chocolate. Tasty and determined on the palate, full of exuberance and with great length. A very emotional Merlot in a class of its own. SUPERIORE.DE

Since the 2018 vintage, a small amount of Merlot has been vinified separately at Rampolla, named after the mother Donna Liù. The unfiltered wine was matured for 12 months in terracotta amphorae and fermented to almost 0 g/l residual sugar. Very elegant, fresh nose of sour cherry, laurel and cassis. Fresh on the palate and without the sometimes exuberant opulence of some other Tuscan Merlots, with a precise cherry fruit and salty-minty component. A finely chiselled Merlot that is hard to beat in terms of freshness, clarity and personality. It bridges the gap wonderfully between the Chianti Classico and the two flagships of the house, Sammarco and d'Alceo. Needs a few more years in the bottle. SUPERIORE.DE

"Intense, sparkling ruby colour with a pronounced violet hue. Open and accessible nose of blackberries and fresh plums, delicate spicy notes in the background, some cigar box. Lots of juicy fruit on the palate, fine, delicate tannins, savoury." Falstaff

"Lots of crushed blackberries and blueberries with flowers follow through to a medium body with fine tannins and a bright, tangy finish. Needs a couple of years to open." James Suckling

"The 2020 Merlot Liu' bristles with extreme purity. Aging in 3/4 cement and 1/4 amphora helps preserve tremendous purity of fruit. Blueberry, spice, lavender, chocolate and licorice are all dialed up. Sweet floral and spice notes add brightness throughout." Vinous

"Vinified in cement and in amphorae made of cocciopesto, a mixture that includes ground up tiles, stone fragments and sand, this savory Merlot is simply delicious. Smooth and polished, it boasts juicy black cherry, blackberry, orange zest and star anise before a minty finish. Lithe tannins give a silky mouthfeel while fresh acidity keeps it bright." Wine Enthusiast

"Now in its third vintage, the Castello dei Rampolla 2020 Liù is a fine and impeccably detailed wine. You taste bright fruit, cherry and dusty limestone with incredible focus, as if these things were under a microscope. That dusty mineral note of pencil shaving or chalkboard is especially beautiful. The finish is lean, or mid-weight, and there are hints of dried mint and black olive on the close. The bouquet is beautifully nuanced and the mouthfeel is more compact." Wine Advocate

The Collio Rosso is beautiful and seductive with an abundance of raspberry jam and plums, complemented by wild herbal notes and peppery flowers. Its textures are like pure silk, introducing a polished and cool blend of red and black berries with hints of citrus and tangerine. The palate remains concentrated and fresh, only slightly structured and with lingering violet and lavender tones. SUPERIORE.DE

Since the 2018 vintage, a small amount of Merlot has been vinified separately at Rampolla, named after the mother Donna Liù. The unfiltered wine was matured for 12 months in terracotta amphorae and fermented to almost 0 g/l residual sugar. Very elegant, fresh nose of sour cherry, laurel and cassis. Fresh on the palate and without the sometimes exuberant opulence of some other Tuscan Merlots, with a precise cherry fruit and salty-minty component. A finely chiselled Merlot that is hard to beat in terms of freshness, clarity and personality. It bridges the gap wonderfully between the Chianti Classico and the two flagships of the house, Sammarco and d'Alceo. Needs a few more years in the bottle. SUPERIORE.DE

"Powerful, bright ruby violet colour. An open and memorable nose, with aromas of blackberry and plum, some blood orange and rust in the background. Supple on the palate with lots of sweet fruit, savoury, grippy tannins, spans a wide range." Falstaff

"The 2021 Merlot Liù is fabulous. Dark and inky to the core, the 2021 saturates the palate with layers of blue/purple fruit framed by incisive tannins. Graphite, lavender, spice and menthol come in later, but it's the sheer intensity of the wine that impresses most. What a great wine this is." Vinous

"The Castello dei Rampolla 2021 Liù is made from 100% Merlot and shows notes of spice and dried herbs framing a dark fruit core. The wine is rich in appearance, but the mouthfeel remains elegantly lean and polished. There is a lovely textural softness here that reflects the spirit of the grape variety and the sunny brilliance of Panzano in Chianti. There are peppery notes on the finish." Wine Advocate

"The flavours of blue fruits and lavender with crushed stone are very impressive and seductive here. Medium-bodied with fine tannins that are very polished and long. Some crushed berries. Turns into orange peel at the end. Needs time to develop and open up. Best after 2028." James Suckling