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Starting in the mid-1980s, Count Brandino Brandolini set about realizing his ambition to produce world-class Merlot at his family’s picture-perfect 500-acre estate in the Friuli district of northeast Italy. Several years of study at the University of Bordeaux, in addition to time spent at the family’s Bordeaux estate, the highly regarded Château Greysac, convinced Brandolini that Friuli possessed the ideal terroir for production of superb quality wine. Significant investments were made in the construction of a state-of-the-art winery and cellars. Conte Brandolini owns the 325-acre Cordignano estate in the Province of Treviso, where varietal wines from Merlot, Pinot Grigio, Tocai, and Refosco are produced. The Merlot comes from both the Cordignano estate and young vines at the Vistorta estate. Half of the harvest in Friuli is Merlot. These historic estates have been owned by the Brandolini family since 1780. This line of estate-bottled wines represents the history and versatility of winemaking in Friuli.

Production Area
High-density, low-yield vineyard plots in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of northeast Italy. The soil is well-drained and rich in clay and limestone. From the Cordignano and Vistorta Estates

Grape Varieties
100% Merlot

Vinification
Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks for 10 days. In mid-winter, the wine is racked into small oak barrels. In May, it is bottled and cellared for some time before release

Color
Intense ruby red with garnet reflections

Bouquet
Fruity, slightly herbaceous, with distinct raspberry fragrance in youth, in time acquiring aromatic complexity and notes of cherry, berry and violets

Taste
Full, dry and slightly tannic, with great body and texture

Alcohol
12.5%

Serving Suggestions
Good match with both white and red meat. Perfect with poultry, rabbit, grilled and seasoned cheeses