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Avignonesi Desiderio Merlot
Desiderio was a bull which lived on Avignonesi’s Capezzine farm more than one hundred years ago. The largest bull in Tuscany at that time, this majestic animal helped define the Chianina cattle race, specific to the Bistecca Fiorentina. It came as a natural choice to dedicate this Merlot to the beloved bull as a testimony to the wines’ origin. This is Merlot from Tuscany at its best.
Tasting Notes
Elegant and intense, the 2016 Desiderio has a strong connection between the nose and on the palate experience. As per the yin and the yang represented on the bull, this vintage benefited from the varied climate conditions that allowed for grapes to reach
a perfect maturity. On the nose notes of mint, coffee powder, cassis and pine forest come across. On the palate, elegant tannins give way to a deep velvety long-lasting finish.
2016 Vintage
The balanced weather conditions of this vintage, characterised by the right amount of all the elements, enabled to make powerful, yet elegant wines. A mild and relatively dry winter was overthrown by a cold and wet spring. Summer was warm
and sunny which compensated for the wet and cold spring. A cold September with Nordic winds allowed for the grapes to reach perfect maturity.
Grape variety: 92% Merlot & 8% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Harvest: The Merlot was picked between the 8th and the 14th of September, the Cabernet Sauvignon was picked on October 4th.
Vinification: Up to 4 weeks of temperature-controlled alcoholic fermentation with maceration on the skins in stainless steel tanks. Only indigenous yeasts were used. The malolactic fermentation took place in oak.
Ageing: 20 months in 225 litres oak barrels (15% new).
Awards
2016: 93 pts Suckling
2015: 94 pts Suckling | 93 pts Veronelli | 92 pts Wine Enthusiast | 92 pts Decanter
91 pts Vinous | Platinum Medal Wine Hunter Awards
2014: 93 pts Suckling | 91 pts Wine Advocate | 91 pts Vinous
