Poggio ai Merli 2013 75cl

The 2013 Poggio Ai Merli is a beautiful wine from all sides. This pure expression of Merlot is generous and round with luscious layers that come forward one soft wave at a time. Perfectly ripened cherry, blackberry, spice, toasted almond and grilled Mediterranean herb form a seamless composition. This is one of the best editions of Poggio Ai Merli that I have tasted. The intensity is stunning and the velvety nature of the mouthfeel is impeccable. It is textured, structured and beautiful. This is a bottle for the cellar. <br/><br/>I was lucky to visit Castellare di Castellina on what may be the best day of the year to come to this estate at the heart of the Chianti Classico appellation. The afternoon I came, Trebbiano grapes had just been harvested to make Vin Santo del Chianti Classico. Each cluster was harvested with its wooden stem still intact. This way, the clusters are attached to metal hooks for the long drying process that will concentrate the sugars and aromatic intensity. A group of young workers labored furiously to hang all the grapes in what looked like massive curtains of grapes from wooden rafters. It was a beautiful site. Winemaker Alessandro Cellai presented his new vintages and added a few older wines to my flights. It is my pleasure to produce those notes here.

A full-bodied red with dark chocolate, dried fruit and hints of vanilla. Soft and velvety. Lots of bright and beautiful fruit. Impressively structured. A glorious pure merlot.

Rich and vibrant, offering black cherry, blackberry and spice flavors. The fruit is backed by firm, chewy tannins, but the acidity keeps this in gear on the lingering finish. Merlot. Best from 2017 through 2023. 250 cases made.