Bosco del Merlo is located in Annone Veneto in the Veneto region of north-east Italy. It was founded in 1977 by the Paladin family. See also Castello Bonomi in Franciacorta, CastelVecchi in Chianti Classico DOCG.

Owner: The Paladin family, siblings Carlo, Lucia and Roberto. Carlo’s daughter is Francesca.

Vineyards: 2017 55ha (650,000 bottles). Only estate bottled wines.

Viticulture: 2017 Integrated pest management (IPM).

Sparkling wines

Prosecco DOC Brut, Bosco del Merlo: 2016 Glera mainly plus a bit of Pinot Noir. 7.5g/l RS. From 20ha of Glera with another 20ha newly planted in Annone on the plain. 60% clay, have to work the soil as so much clay. Lime-rich soils provide aromas. Sweet icing sugar and pineapple notes when tasted at the winery in Annone Veneto 10 June 2017.

Prosecco DOC Extra Dry, Bosco del Merlo: 2016 Glera + a bit of Pinot Noir. 11.5%. Nice dry style, fluffy, no real length when tasted at the winery in Annone Veneto 10 June 2017.

Rabosos Spumante Bollicine Rosse, Paladin: ‘Our first grape to flower, our last grape to ripen.’ | NV (2016) 11%. Grapes from the Bosco del Merlo esate. 20 g/l RS. Thick texture, with green fruit at their winery in Annone Veneto 10 June 2017.

White wines

Sauvignon Blanc, Terrain: 2016 13%. 4g/l. from Lison Pramaggiore. Picked in various stages. 50,000 bottles. Well put together when tasted at the estate in Annone Veneto 10 June 2017.

Chardonnay, Nicopeja: 2016 Venezie. 30,000 bottles. Sweet and grassy when tasted at the estate in Annone Veneto 10 June 2017.

Verduzzo, Soandre: 2013 Lison-Pramaggiore DOC: 50% late harvest, 50% passito. 13%. Woody, quite soft, and a bit lolly, lacking a bit of lift at their winery in Annone Veneto 10 June 2017.

Pink wines

Rosato, Bosco del Merlot:

Red wines

Merlot, Bosco del Merlot: 2013 13.5%. 20K. Pretty nose, bit of licorice, green, smooth, soft at their winery in Annone Veneto 10 June 2017. Foudres (20-30hl), and barrel for 12m.

Merlot, Campo Camino: From Lison Pramaggiore. Vines lie near the Campo Camino or ‘chimney field’), referring to the tall chimneyed local brick furnaces.

Refosco del Peduncolo Rosso Riserva: 2006 Lison Pramaggiore Not too herbal, nice fluidity, easy going when tasted at their winery in Annone Veneto 10 June 2017. | 2013 Riserva Oaky new wood, bright fruit underneath, bit international when tasted at their winery in Annone Veneto 10 June 2017.

Syrah, Paladin: Grapes are dried on the vine. 15-20% from their Tuscan estate, this estate, and purchased grapes. 13.5% + 20g/l. 6-7 months in old barrels. 3-4 weeks of drying. Minty sweet raspberries at their winery in Annone Veneto 10 June 2017. 100,000 bottles.

Sweet wines

Verduzzo, Seandre: 2008 Veneto Verduzzo IGP. 100% passito grapes. 5m of apassimento. 5,000 bottles.

Contact

Bosco del Merlo

Via Postumia 12/A

I-30020 Annone Veneto (VE), Italy.

Website: www.boscodelmerlo.it/en/