Astoria, Il Puro Merlot, 2023
Astoria, Il Puro Merlot, 2023
- 75cl
- 13%
- Red Still
- Merlot
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Optimal drinking window: Now - 2028
Astoria is one of the Veneto's most prolific and reliable family estates, and Il Puro Merlot is exactly what the name promises: a clean, honest expression of the grape with nothing to prove and everything to enjoy. Ripe plum and dark cherry lead the way, softened by a touch of warm spice and rounded off with the kind of gentle tannins that make this a genuinely easy companion at the table.
This is a wine built for pleasure rather than patience. Soft, balanced, and approachable right now, it suits everything from a midweek pasta to a slow-cooked ragù.
Tasting Notes
AppearanceBright ruby-red with a clear, youthful rim.
NoseRipe plum and dark cherry come through immediately, generous and uncomplicated. A soft undercurrent of vanilla and warm spice adds a little roundness without crowding the fruit.
PalateMedium-bodied with soft, approachable tannins and plenty of dark berry fruit up front. There is enough freshness to keep it lively, and the spice note carries through cleanly to the mid-palate.
FinishSmooth and balanced, fading gently with a trace of red fruit and soft oak.
Overall impressionA straightforwardly delicious everyday Merlot that does exactly what it sets out to do.
Food Pairings
In the Veneto, this kind of soft, fruit-forward Merlot is typically poured alongside braised meats and slow-cooked dishes — think bigoli in salsa made richer with a glass on the side, or a plate of soppressata and aged Monte Veronese. A simple risotto with sausage and radicchio would be a natural local match, as would polenta e schie, the region's beloved grey shrimp dish, though a meatier version with pork would suit better here. Roast chicken with herbs, or a straightforward pasta al ragù, are the kind of unfussy weeknight pairings this wine was clearly designed for.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve at around 16°C — cool enough to keep the fruit lively, warm enough to let the soft tannins show at their best. No need to decant; just open and pour. A standard Bordeaux-style glass works well, giving the fruit enough room to open up without over-aerating what is a relatively delicate wine.
The Treviso hills in the Veneto sit at the foothills of the Dolomites, where a continental climate brings warm summers and cool nights that help preserve freshness in the grapes. Soils in the area are a mix of alluvial deposits, clay, and glacial moraine, which tend to give Merlot a plump, approachable character rather than the more structured expression you find further south. The altitude moderates the ripening season usefully, keeping the wine lively rather than heavy.
Il Puro Merlot is produced as a Treviso IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipica), a broad category that gives producers flexibility to work outside the stricter rules of the local DOC appellations such as Piave or Montello. This means Astoria can focus on varietal purity and fruit expression without being bound by blending requirements. IGT status, introduced alongside the 1992 wine law reforms, has been used to great effect across Italy by producers who want to prioritise the grape over the designation.
FAQs
What does Il Puro Merlot taste like?
Ripe and approachable, with plum, dark cherry, and a soft hint of spice. The tannins are gentle and the finish is smooth and balanced — it is an easy, pleasurable wine with no sharp edges.
When should I drink this wine?
Now. This is not a wine that rewards cellaring — the fruit is at its freshest and most appealing right now, and we would aim to drink it before 2028.
What food does it pair well with?
It is a versatile partner at the table. Pasta al ragù, braised pork, roast chicken with herbs, or a simple charcuterie board all work well. Nothing too heavy or tannic on the plate — this wine is built for easy going matches.
Should I decant it?
No need. Just open and pour. It is ready to drink straight from the bottle and will not benefit meaningfully from aeration.
What temperature should I serve it at?
Around 16°C. Slightly cooler than room temperature keeps the fruit fresh and the wine lively without letting it feel austere.
Is this a good everyday wine?
That is exactly what it is. Honest, fruit-forward, and well-priced, Il Puro Merlot is the kind of bottle you reach for on a Tuesday without a second thought — and it reliably delivers.
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