2006 Venezia Giulia Merlot

The 2006 Merlot is unique yet quite pretty, with its bouquet that blends autumnal spices, mulled cherries, blueberries, herbal-tea and moist earth tones. There’s a pleasant inner sweetness, more the result of lively acidity than sugar, with red and blue fruits that give way to zesty minerality and an air of dried roses. It tapers off honeyed and perfumed, further accentuated by a twang of sour citrus. Don’t come here looking for a typical Merlot experience, because this is more of an exotic beast “a la” Radikon. The 2006 Merlot went through 30 days of skin contact followed by refining for five years in neutral barrique. Radikon fans take note, because this is not to be missed.