Castel San Pietro Terme, 30 September 2024 – This recognition gains even more value in that it was bestowed on the 60th anniversary of the winery and that it was a wine project dear to Umberto Cesari, the fruit of decades of investments in the vineyard and in winemaking.

  In fact, Merlese was a very long-term dream, with its beginnings in the faraway 1980s, inspired by Umberto Cesari ceaseless commitment to experimentation. In this case, the overall concept was really  simple:  pollinate naturally the flowers of Sangiovese with those of Merlot. The result was a totally new grape variety. Then, after careful clonal selection, the decision was made to ramp up on a large scale: the initial hectares of Merlese vineyards were planted at Castel San Pietro, and studies were conducted over many years to determine the most appropriate aspect, vineyard layout, and, in general, how to best cultivate a grape that was an unknown quantity up to that point. 

The initial bottling was the 2018 vintage, and the latest is the current release, 2021. After meticulous quality-selection of the berries, the must ferments and matures in traditional cocciopesto and glass-lined concrete vats at controlled temperatures. The wine is then given an additional 6 months in the bottle.

Merlese 2021 appear an intense, purple-flecked red. The nose is broad and generous, redolent of wild berryfruit and cherry, against a background of spice notes classic to its parent Merlot. 

It is full-bodied, but displays striking elegance as well, thanks to a fine balance of crisp acidity and velvety smoothness, gifts of its two “parents.” The tannins are pronounced but supple and enjoyable.