Merlot Riserva 'Siebeneich' Colterenzio 2022

The Merlot Riserva 'Siebeneich' from the famous South Tyrolean winery Colterenzio is part of the Selections labels, i.e. a range of excellent wines made from grapes from the best plots on the estate, managed with low yields per hectare. The excellent quality of the grapes, characterised by particularly rich and ripe aromas, results in a Merlot that impresses with its elegance and harmony. The mild climate and suitable soils have proven to be very suitable for the noble Bordeaux grape variety, which, also thanks to its rather early ripening, benefits from the sunny South Tyrolean summers without fearing the autumn cold.

Siebeneich' is a Merlot Riserva from one of the most important cooperatives in South Tyrol. Colterenzio is made up of more than 300 small members, who cultivate vines in different parts of the region, between 250 and 550 metres above sea level. Thanks to this variety of terroirs, each grape variety is found in the most suitable location. The Merlot grapes are harvested in the Siebeneich vineyard, which is located near Terlan. The vines are approximately 20 years old and are cultivated on warm, sunny slopes with wonderful southern exposure, characterised by soils generated by the disintegration of porphyry and quartz rocks and sediments of alluvial origin. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel vats at a controlled temperature of 28-30 °C, with maceration on the skins and pumping over. The wine matures for 12 months in small wooden barrels and ends its ageing with a further 12 months in the bottle.

Colterenzio's red Merlot Riserva 'Siebeneich' is a classic and traditional version of the Bordeaux red. It has been present in the region for centuries and has adapted very well to areas with a warmer, milder climate, which favours excellent ripening of the grapes. To the eye, it has a rather dark ruby red colour. The olfactory picture is intense and ripe, with aromas of small dark berry fruits, cherries, currants, blackberries, hints of vanilla, nuances of soft oriental spices and dark chocolate. On the palate it has a good structure, with velvety tannins and a harmonious, warm and persuasive sip, with rich and satisfying fruit that accompanies a balanced and very persistent finish.