Schiopetto Podere dei Blumeri 2016

Drink now through to 2028. No need to decant before serving.

The Schiopetto estate is widely regarded as one of Friuli’s finest white wine producers, but the winery also produces some exquisite red wines like this Podere dei Blumeri. The wine is the result of an experimental project which began in 2000 on the estate’s Blumeri vineyard. This unusual red blend combines Merlot with Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, a deeply-coloured and full bodied indigenous variety which is widely planted across Friuli.

The vines are planted on hilly plots in the Collio Orientale which helps to maintain freshness and balance while ensuring optimal ripeness. Once in the winery the must is fermented in large wooden vats and then transferred to smaller oak barrels for 14 months. The young wine is then bottled and aged for a further 18 months in the winery before it is deemed ready for release.

The result is a bold, robust red which is reminiscent of top Right Bank Bordeaux reds thanks to the delicious combination of soft, ripe Merlot grapes and the more intense, well-structured Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso character. Dark berries, bitter chocolate, and sweet spice flavours linger long on the tongue and are accompanied by a full body, firm tannins, and subtle streak of acidity which provides balance. This wine is an excellent candidate for extended ageing and will continue to develop and evolve over the next decade or so.