Gioiello Merlot 2018

As with the more recent vintage, the grapes were handpicked, de-stemmed and crushed into open top fermenters, before a gentle pressing into French oak barriques for 18 months. Deep magenta in colour, there are prominent plum and plum pudding notes, spices, dry herbs, bergamot, fruitcake and a hint of leafiness. Good focus and silky tannins for a mid-length wine that will drink well for the next six to eight years. While the two vintages sit on a par at the moment, and both offer pleasing drinking, this is the one which will step up in the coming years. A really good Merlot.