2016 Scarbolo 'Campo del Viotto' Merlot

About the Wine

Wine enthusiasts who are unfamiliar with the wines of Friuli are missing out on some of the most striking and delicious wines in all of Italy. The Bordeaux varietal wines and blends stand tall next to their French counterparts. The white wines of Friuli represent some of the best white wines in the world and at stunning value.

Scarbolo winery was founded by Gino Scarbolo. At an early age, Gino, who was born into a family of farmers, was bitten by the wine bug and started producing small batches of wine on the family’s farm.

Years later, he moved to Lauzacco with his family, where he purchased his first parcels, planted some vines, and started producing wine in bulk. Gino’s son, Valter, who grew up between vines and wines, learned the business and decided to take a step further into his expertise, and in 1982, he started his studies in viticulture and winemaking. This was a touring point into this family-owned business. What started with bulk wine, is today recognized as one of the most emblematic estates of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region.

Today, the winery is led by Valter y Maria Grazia. The 70-acre vineyard is managed under what they like to call “logic viticulture” which means “choosing vineyard managing procedures that diminish intervening in the life of the vine to the minimum.” Their son and daughter are also now involved in the family business, involved with updating labels and handling exports.

The vineyard is placed in an outstanding location, with the Alps to the north, the Adriatic sea to the south, and the Friulian Plain to the west. The result is a blessed terroir that delivers “gracefully contoured, elegant wines.”

Aging: 12 months, half in French oak barrels, and half in stainless steel vats.

Tasting Notes: 100% Merlot. Flat our delicious, with tension, depth, great fruit and structure. Aromas of dates, blackberry compote, sweet tobacco, bay leaf, Brazil nuts, cocoa, chestnut cream, ink, and morello cherries. The palate is elegant, persistent, and with silky tannins. Scents of wild blackberries, Boero chocolate, blueberry mousse, hazelnuts, dark chocolate, black cherries, and licorice root. Pair this wine with roasted red meats or vegetables.

Reviews

Attractive herb, smoke and black-olive character highlights the bramble and blackberry aromas and flavors. It’s full-bodied and linear with tight tannins that are slightly chewy. Some balsamic undertones. Give it a year or two to soften. Try after 2022. ~91 James Suckling. 

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