Poggio ai Merli di Castellare

Poggio ai Merli Merlot Toscana IGT bottle image

Wine Description

Poggio ai Merli is made entirely from Merlot, and named after the single vineyard from which it is produced. Located in the heart of Chianti Classico, grapes are imbued with all the terroir-driven characteristics of Tuscany's most famous viticultural area. This wine embodies Castellare's innovation by producing international varietals in an area world-famous for Sangiovese.

Alessandro Cellai
Castellare Vines
Castellare Vineyard
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Acclaim
“A pure and delicious expression of Merlot, the 2011 Poggio ai Merli (aged from 15 to 30 months in French oak) shows plush opulence in the form of ripe blackberry and cherry conserves. Deep and multifaceted shades of spice, leather, licorice and grilled herb add beautiful background tones. The mouthfeel is chewy and rich and there’s a touch of brown sugar sweetness as well. Poggio ai Merli is one of the great Italian Merlots.”
— Monica Larner, Aug 2013
“A wine with currents and dried herbs with hints of spices. Full body, with bright acidity and a juicy finish. Almost a balsamic undertone. Pure Merlot. Better in 2015.”
— James Suckling, Jul 2013
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Vineyard & Production Info
Production area/appellation:
Toscana IGT
Vineyard name
The Poggio ai Merli Vineyard
Vineyard size
5 acres
Soil composition
Calcareous Clay-Loam
Training method
Spur-pruned cordon
Elevation:
1,155-1,320 feet
Vines/acre:
2,200
Yield/acre:
2.2 tons
Exposure:
Southwestern
Year vineyard planted:
1996
Harvest time:
August-September
First vintage of this wine:
1999
Bottles produced of this wine:
4,000
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Winemaking & Aging
Maceration length:
12
Varietal composition:
100% Merlot
Fermentation container:
Stainless steel tanks
Length of alcoholic fermentation:
14 days
Fermentation temperature:
79 °F
Maceration technique:
Racking and Pumpovers
Type of aging container:
Barriques
Size of aging container:
225 L
Type of oak:
French
Length of aging before bottling:
14 months
Age of Aging Container:
New-One year
Length of bottle aging:
10 months
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Analytical Data
pH level:
3.7
Acidity:
5.3 g/L
Alcohol:
14 %
Residual sugar:
2.5 g/L