2003 GALEA ROSSO Colli Orientali del Friuli i Clivi
| Grapes:
Merlot
|
Origin: Italy, Friuli Venezia Giulia |
Lea & Sandeman review
A fascinating red which is made from very old and low yielding Merlot vines in the Galea vineyard. Vinified in stainless steel, with the cap held in suspension half way up the tank, the wine is then aged in fifteen year old oak barrels for one year (so as to allow the wine to 'breath' without taking on oak flavours), before spending a further year back in stainless steel. The 2003 has only just been released and deemed ready for drinking. This is a Merlot with Northern Italian attitude (robust food and rugby players from this region) and apart from its brick red colour and developed nose would be hard to place. Savoury, spicy, firm tannins lead to a palate of mature black fruit and a very long finish.