Fattoria di MonteMaggio Torre di MonteMaggio Toscana 2016 IGT, Italy

Time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Here’s a great surprise from Italy.

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Great nose of black cherries, blueberries, wood, cloves, vanilla, espresso, chocolates, earth, wet leaves, tobacco, vinaigrette, forest floor and spices.

Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with black plums, black cherries, light vegetables, wood, licorice, spices, dark chocolates, coffee, peppercorn, tobacco, wet leaves, herbs, earth and leather.

Medium plus on the finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a delicious Merlot from Tuscany. What a great surprise. Tasty and spicy with a soft mouthfeel.

Good by itself or with food and easy drinking.

Needs a couple of hours to open up properly, and show that beautiful nose.

Feels much older than a 4 year old, and would be nice to revisit it in 3 to 5 years.

High in alcohol, but very nicely integrated. Loved the nose here.

Thank you Wendy for sharing.

I paired it with cheeses and light appetizers.

100% Merlot grapes, were aged in French oak barrels for 18 months. Unfiltered.

15.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$50.

• * Red Wine
• Italian Red Wine
• Italian Tuscan