“Il Merlot” Merlot Sebino IGT 2015

Ca' del Bosco | Lombardy
Ca' del Bosco S.r.l. s.a. | Via Albano Zanella 13 | IT 25030 Erbusco

04053415 · 0,75 l · 105,33 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shippingavailable immediately

Some wines are created according to plan. And some are created because nature wants them to be. Il Merlot belongs to the second category – a wine that is only born when terroir, climate and sun come together in rare harmony. Maurizio Zanella, the visionary behind Ca' del Bosco, has elevated this principle to a philosophy: since the first vintage in 1990, only six vintages have been deemed worthy of being bottled as single-varietal Merlot. 2015 was one of them. That year, Franciacorta challenged its winegrowers: a mild winter spurred the vegetation cycle early, fungal pressure in early summer demanded meticulous foliage work, then sweltering heat until the end of July. Only after Ferragosto did rain bring redemption – and gave the Merlot grapes the final ripeness that distinguishes greatness from favour. The harvest began on 9 September for the three "vigne elette" in Cazzago San Martino and Passirano, whose vines, which are on average 37 years old, are rooted in the calcareous moraine soils of Franciacorta.

What follows is the Metodo Ca' del Bosco in its most uncompromising form: Each grape undergoes the legendary "spa" – a system of washing, hydromassage and gentle drying that guarantees purity without damaging the grape skins. By gravity – never pumped – the berries are transferred to the fermentation tanks, where 21 days of maceration extract colour, structure and aromas. Alcoholic fermentation takes place exclusively in small oak barrels, followed by 18 months of ageing in barriques. Then: seven years of bottle ageing. The result? Sulphites below 28 mg/litre – a commitment to natural vinification.

In the glass, the 2015 shows a deep ruby red colour with garnet reflections. The nose reveals intense aromas of ripe red fruit – sour cherry, blackberry, plum – interwoven with nuances of spices, tobacco and a hint of undergrowth. The palate reveals a wine of remarkable complexity: full-bodied yet elegant, with finely honed tannins that bear witness to its long maturation. The acidity remains present, lending freshness and tension, while the finish is long and savoury. A Merlot that proves that this grape variety not only has historical justification in Franciacorta, but is also capable of absolute expression – if it is given the time it deserves. SUPERIORE.DE