Producer/Estate: Marco Merli Name: Rosso 000202024 Region: Umbria Year: 2023 Color: Rosso Grapes: Sangiovese, Ciliegiolo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot Vineyard: Varia, total 7 hectares, 280-400 m altitude. Clay, limestone, southeastern, 16 to 60 years old, organic, no herbicides, pesticides, or fertilizers, cordon pruned. Yield: 6500 kg/ha Vinification: Hand-harvested, mid- to late September, partly whole bunches, carbonic maceration in PVC tanks, partly on skins for 14/16 days, spontaneous fermentation, then pressed at uncontrolled temperatures in stainless steel and cement. Then 8 months on fine lees in steel and cement, at least 6 months in bottle. Total production 2580 bottles. Malo: spontaneous Sulfites: Minimal addition, total 27mg/L Filtering/Finance: none Suitable for vegans and vegetarians Alcohol: 13% Serving temperature: 12/16C This is nice. A nod to our French friends, but definitely with an Italian character. In the 1970s and 1980s, many vineyards with native varieties in Umbria were uprooted to be planted with French grapes because the wine from them was supposed to be better and easier to sell. A fad, so to speak. Anyway, if you have that in your vineyards, you can choose to uproot it. It's a shame, but you can also choose to make something nice with it. And if you add a generous dose of Italian full-blooded Sangiovese... In Marco's case, this blend results in a lively, velvety wine. Spicy, refined, with relatively soft tannins and a fresh crunch. Unmistakable notes of blackberry, ink, and blueberry. Drink slightly chilled.