Name: Castellare di Castellina Merlot Poggio Ai Merli 2020 750ml
Brand: Castellare Di Castellina
SKU: 992112
Price: 83.25 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 93.7 (3 reviews)

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Winery

Castellare Di Castellina

Shop all from Castellare Di Castellina Learn more about this producer

Varietal

Merlot

With its dark blue colored fruits and high juice content, Merlot varietal grapes have long been a favorite of wine producers around the globe, with it being found in vineyards across Europe, the Americas and elsewhere in the New World. One of the distinguishing features of Merlot grapes is the fact that they have a relatively low tannin content and an exceptionally soft and fleshy character, meaning they are capable of producing incredibly rounded and mellow wines. This mellowness is balanced with plenty of flavor, however, and has made Merlot grapes the varietal of choice for softening other, more astringent and tannin-heavy wines, often resulting in truly exceptional produce. Merlot is regarded as one of the key 'Bordeaux' varietals for precisely this reason; when combined with the drier Cabernet Sauvignon, it is capable of blending beautifully to produce some of the finest wines available in the world.

Country

Italy

There are few countries in the world with a viticultural history as long or as illustrious as that claimed by Italy. Grapes were first being grown and cultivated on Italian soil several thousand years ago by the Greeks and the Pheonicians, who named Italy 'Oenotria' – the land of wines – so impressed were they with the climate and the suitability of the soil for wine production. Of course, it was the rise of the Roman Empire which had the most lasting influence on wine production in Italy, and their influence can still be felt today, as much of the riches of the empire came about through their enthusiasm for producing wines and exporting it to neighbouring countries. Since those times, a vast amount of Italian land has remained primarily for vine cultivation, and thousands of wineries can be found throughout the entire length and breadth of this beautiful country, drenched in Mediterranean sunshine and benefiting from the excellent fertile soils found there. Italy remains very much a 'land of wines', and one could not imagine this country, its landscape and culture, without it.

Region

Tuscany

The central Italian region of Tuscany is widely understood to be one of the world's most famous and highly regarded wine regions. The beautiful rolling hillsides and medieval towns and castles which are a key feature of the area are also home to many of Europe's finest wineries, and extremely high quality vineyards growing the distinctive Sangiovese and Vernaccia grape varietals which are the flavorful backbone of Tuscany's wonderful red and white wines. For almost three thousand years, this region has been recognized as an ideal home for wine production on a large scale, and the ancient Etruscans, Greeks and Romans all noticed that fine grape varietals flourished on the unique soils and under the hot sunshine which typifies the area. Today, Tuscany is home to a wide range of wines, from the traditional to the complex, but all dedicated to excellent flavors and aromas, and maintaining the region's international reputation.

JS 95pts

James Suckling

A very pretty red with redcurrant, plum, light chocolate and light sage. Medium to full body, round and racy tannins and a long finish. Be patient. 100% merlot. Try after 2025.

WA 93pts

Wine Advocate

A pure expression of Merlot, the Castellare di Castellina 2020 Poggio ai Merli is extremely generous and soft from a textural point of view. This hot vintage Merlot is beautifully opulent and round with ripe fruit, black cherry, barbecue spice, smoke and mahogany. The oak element is quite evident especially now as the wine is so young. You also get the added volume and fruit padding of the vintage.

VM 93pts

Vinous Media

The 2020 Poggio ai Merli, 100% Merlot, is super-impressive. A blast of dark cherry, plum, incense, tobacco and chocolate makes a strong opening statement. There is plenty of depth and textural intensity. My only real quibble is that the French oak imprint is quite strong, and probably not necessary given the quality of the underlying material.

Winery Notes

Deep ruby red in color with purple reflections, this Merlot is loaded with enticing aromas of ripe blackberries, sweet cherry plums, cassis, and vanilla. Equally flavorful on the palate, Poggio ai Merli is full-bodied with a persistent and complex finish.

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Castellare di Castellina Merlot Poggio Ai Merli 2020 750ml

More Vintages:

Winery

Castellare Di Castellina

Varietal

Merlot

Country

Italy

Region

Tuscany

James Suckling

Wine Advocate

Vinous Media

Winery Notes

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