Radikon Venezia Giulia Merlot Collio 2010

Radikon farms organically on Friuli's shale and clay, and the vines, averaging 25 years, feed a Merlot that bears almost no resemblance to the plush version of the grape you know. Thirty to sixty days on skins in oak vats, five years in used barriques, then another five or so in bottle before it's released: this 2010 has been waiting a long time to meet you. Tannin with grip, a savory mid-palate, and not a shred of makeup on it. Merlot as a structural wine, not a soft one.