2017 Collio Rosso Riserva, Borgo del Tiglio

Nicola has long championed “international” varietals including Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, of which this is a blend. The newly-released 2017 Riserva, raised for two years in barrel and a further two in bottle, is all the more noteworthy because the Cabernet vines were ripped out shortly after that year’s harvest. Sometimes vinified separately as the acclaimed cuvée Rosso della Centa, the Merlot hails from an extremely steep, south west-facing hillside in Brazzano. With the 2017, Nicola and Mattia have categorically achieved their aim of producing a red that is ‘taut but at the same time thirst-quenching.’