Merlot 'Graf de la Tour' Villa Russiz 2020
"Graf de la Tour" is a Merlot from Collio with a voluminous and intense body, matured for 24 months in small oak barrels. The taste is warm, broad, and full-bodied, with an enveloping and long texture, accompanied by notes of currant, cherry, aromatic herbs, memories of cocoa, and tobacco. Excellent with game, wild meats, aged cheeses, or for moments of meditation with dark chocolate!
The Merlot “Graf de la Tour” from Villa Russiz comes from the Collio Goriziano area, a strip of land to the east of the Italian peninsula bordering Slovenia. This area is considered one of the most suitable in Italy for the production of excellent white wines and equally good reds. The winery was founded in 1868 by a noble French family who took over the villa and the adjacent land. Theodor de la Tour Voivrè began cultivating the vine, grafting typical French grape varieties. From generation to generation until today, the passion and knowledge for producing great wines has never been lost, becoming a reference point for the wines of the territory.
The Merlot “Graf de la Tour” from Villa Russiz comes from vineyards located on hills between 100 and 350 meters above sea level. There are significant temperature fluctuations between day and night, a phenomenon that ensures full ripening of the grapes, thanks also to the perfect sun exposure. The “Flysh,” rich mineral sediment, makes up most of the soil with the presence of sandstone, marls, and calcium carbonate that gives aromaticity to the wines. The grapes are hand-picked; after destemming, they are left to ferment and macerate for about 20 days. It ages for 24 months in small oak barrels before being bottled and left to rest in the bottle for another 10 months
The Merlot “Graf de la Tour” from Villa Russiz is an intense ruby red. On the nose, it reveals red currants and ripe cherries, dark chocolate and tobacco, and a final herbal note; on the palate, it is of great intensity, enveloping with noble and soft tannins and a pleasantly persistent finish. It pairs well with game and wild meats and cuts of fine red meat; interesting also with medium-aged cheeses and local cured meats. A product that lends itself to being savored slowly, enjoying each glass and each sip on occasions of gatherings with friends or for the family feast table, to discover the power of a red that comes from a territory long dedicated to the production of exceptional wines.