2019 Südtirol / Alto Adige DOC Merlot Riserva "Vigna Kastelaz", Alto Adige, Italy

Firm and quite deep, tart, somewhat smoky and almost a little sooty aroma of very ripe black berries with tobacco, somewhat iodine and hints of bloody-animalic notes, dry herbs and red pepper. Powerful and juicy in the mouth, very ripe, thus almost sweetish dark fruit with somewhat bitterish, slightly sooty and ashy woody aromas, powerful and persistent on the palate, reminiscent of juniper, dark ethereal spiciness, youthful, youthful, yet ripe and friable tannins, good persistence, some bite, plenty of power and noticeable alcohol, which integrates well with air, gains freshness, depth and juice, very good finish, again with ripe, almost sweetish fruit and at the same time some bitter wood.

Best to drink: 2024-2034+. What our ratings mean