Another Collio Merlot

[Innkeeper]

1997 Marco Felluga, Collio (DOC), Merlot. Imported by Felluga U.S.A., Napa, CA (Don't know if there is any relationship with the producer). Picked this up on my Chicago trip. This wine really tells a story. When you think of Italian Wine most folks think "warm climate wine." Bordeaux has the Pyrenees in front of it, and the Atlantic beside it. Collio has the Alps behind it, and the Adriatic beside it. Are these similar climates?

This Collio Merlot is a cool weather wine. There were raspberries and cherries on the nose, upfront, and on the finish. In the middle was earth, complexity, and just about completely smooth tannins. Went just splendidly with the Bistecca Alla Pizzaiola we had again tonight. This was a wonderful wine at a nice price ($12.00). Too bad, will have to go to Chicago or further to get more.

[Thomas]

IK, Marco Felluga is distributed in NYC. I visited the winery three years ago--met Marco and the family. Got a taste of everything they produce--loved most of it. Each year I make a visit to their booth at VinItaly (Verona) which I intend to do again next week.

I believe Marco is cousin to Livio Felluga, but the former's wines are priced a little better and just as good as Livio's. The merlot is definitely a cool climate type, and might be the only wine I feel is over-priced, but only relative to other Merlots, not to what it takes to produce Merlot in Friuli Venezia Giulia--Collio.