The grapes for this wine are 100% Merlot, grown in Italy's relatively cool climate region of Fruili. The vineyards lie between an arch of mountains to the north and the Adriatic sea to the south, which provides a perfect, protected site for ripening fruit. Winemaker Arrigo Bidoli matured this wine for 10 months predominantly in French oak barrels, which adds complexity and smoothness to the wine. To retain flavour and complexity this wine has only been lightly filtered during production. This may result in a small harmless sediment forming over time in the bottom of the bottle.

Serve at room temperature. Fine Italian reds are extremely food-friendly. Try matching this with rich pasta dishes, roast red meats and poultry, or full-flavoured hard cheeses.

''...The Northeast of Italy isn't the first place you'd go looking for top-quality merlot, but this is a stunner. Bright, unoaked and supple with fine-grained tannins...''
Recommended by Tim Atkin, The Times, July 2010

£65.94 for case of 6 (£10.99 per bottle)