Marchesi di Grésy Monferrato Rosso 2016/2017
£19.95 per bottle
ABV 13.5%
A fine, mature red from the iconic Marchesi di Grésy estate. Produced from Merlot grown on their Monte Colombo vineyard in the Monferrato hills - combines rich vibrant fruit with toasty oak.
"As in Bordeaux, the 2016 vintage in Piedmont will go down as one of the greats. The di Gresy family have been in the business since 1797 and possess the quiet confidence coming from generations of success. They are not given to hyperbole, however Alessandro di Gresy described it as “as close to a perfect vintage (if there is) as a producer could ask”. Many of the 2016 Barbaresco and Barolos sold out on allocations or are now quite rightly at some fantastic prices. Marchesi di Gresy’s Monferatto Rosso is not their most famous wine, but in this vintage in particular it delivers tremendous pleasure and fantastic value. Further, the great wines of 2016 are not yet ready to drink, but at di Gresy they believe in a long elevage and this wine is released to the market in a state suitable to drink. This wine is made from 100% Merlot, though it tastes far more of Piemonte than what anyone’s experience of Merlot as a variety is like. The temperate site and clay soils create that dichotomy that is Piemonte, firm but sensual, joyful and serious, savoury but with a substantial core of fruit. This wine makes a regular appearance on my table as a versatile, sophisticated and great value wine."
Mike Best MW
Production
The Merlot grapes come from di Grésy's Monte Colombo vineyards in the comune of Cassine, in the Asti zone. These were planted to use in a blended cuvée with Barbera, but Alberto was so impressed with the quality that he decided instead to produce this single varietal wine. Traditional vinification and 14 day maceration with regular pumpings over. Malolactic fermentation in tank. 12 months in used French barriques (Allier) followed by 24 months in Slavonian oak casks.
Tasting notes
Aromatic and spicy on the nose with forest fruits, ripe plum and damson. The complex palate has notes of dark plum and sour cherry, together with ripe tannins, and toasty, cedar, vanilla and balsamic characters - leading to a fine, long and structured finish.
Food match
Excellent with a simply cooked steak, casseroles, game, rabbit and lamb.
