Primosic, Merlot Selection, Collio, 2021
Primosic, Merlot Selection, Collio, 2021
- 75cl
- 13.5%
- Red Still
- Merlot
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Optimal drinking window: 2026 - 2032
Est. delivery in June, 2026
Primosic's Merlot Selection comes from their prized Collio vineyards, where the Tessicini family has been crafting wines since 1869. This is Friulian Merlot at its most appealing—ripe but restrained, with the sort of silky texture that makes you forget all about those overripe New World versions.
The 2021 vintage shows beautifully now, offering generous dark fruit wrapped in gentle tannins and lifted by the region's characteristic mineral backbone. We think it's drinking perfectly until 2032, though we suspect most bottles won't last that long once you've tasted its effortless charm.
The 2021 is drinking beautifully now, with primary fruit and tannins in perfect balance. Over the next two years, expect the herbal and earthy notes to become more prominent while the fruit softens further. The wine should reach its peak around 2028-2030, when secondary complexity will add leather and tobacco nuances. After 2032, the fruit may begin to fade, though the wine will remain drinking well for several more years.
Tasting Notes
AppearanceDeep ruby with garnet highlights at the rim.
NoseRipe blackberry and dark plum lead, followed by dried herbs and a whisper of cedar. There's an appealing earthiness underneath, like damp forest floor after rain. The fruit feels concentrated but never jammy.
PalateSupple and medium-bodied with excellent balance between fruit and structure. The tannins are polished and well-integrated, supporting rather than dominating the wine. Layers of dark fruit unfold alongside savoury herbs and a touch of cocoa on the mid-palate.
FinishLong and warming with lingering dark fruit and a gentle mineral grip.
Overall impressionThis is Merlot with both power and grace, showing why Collio deserves serious attention.
Food Pairings
In Friuli, this would pair naturally with the region's hearty cuisine—think frico (cheese and potato pancakes) or jota, the local bean and sauerkraut soup enriched with smoked pork. The wine's smooth texture makes it perfect with the area's famous San Daniele prosciutto, while its structure can handle goulash and other Austrian-influenced dishes that reflect the region's border culture. Locals might also serve it with wild boar or venison from the Julian Alps, where the wine's herbal notes echo the mountain herbs used in the cooking.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve at 16-17°C to show off the wine's elegant fruit and silky texture. No need to decant—this is ready to pour and enjoy straight from the bottle. Use Bordeaux-style glasses to concentrate the aromatics while allowing the wine to breathe. If you must open it early, give it 30 minutes in the glass to fully express itself.
The vineyards sit on Collio's famous ponca—a distinctive marl and sandstone soil formed from ancient seabeds that creates exceptional drainage while retaining enough moisture for consistent ripening. The altitude of 80-150 metres and protection from the Julian Alps create a microclimate with warm days and cool nights. This combination allows Merlot to ripen fully while maintaining freshness and elegant tannin structure.
Collio DOC straddles the Italian-Slovenian border in Friuli, renowned for producing some of Italy's most refined wines. The appellation allows both indigenous varieties like Friulano and international grapes, but all must meet strict yield limits and quality standards. Unlike neighbouring Friuli Grave, Collio's ponca soils and hillside sites create wines with distinctive minerality and aging potential that set them apart from the broader region.
The 2021 growing season in Friuli threw curveballs from start to finish. Late spring frosts rattled nerves across the region, followed by a soggy summer that had growers reaching for their spray rigs more often than they'd like. September finally delivered the sunshine, but by then many producers were nursing reduced yields and wondering what they'd pulled from the fires. It wasn't the vintage anyone ordered, but Friulano and the other indigenous whites proved their mettle under pressure.
What emerged surprised us all: wines with real tension and minerality, perhaps more interesting than the easy-drinking 2020s that preceded them. The reduced crops concentrated flavours brilliantly in Friulano and Ribolla Gialla, whilst Pinot Grigio gained a backbone it sometimes lacks in warmer years. These aren't the plush, immediate wines of sunnier vintages, but they've got substance and should age gracefully until 2028. We're drinking them now and finding they reward a bit of patience in the glass.
FAQs
What does this Merlot taste like?
Smooth and elegant with dark plum and blackberry fruit, herbal touches, and polished tannins. Think refined rather than powerful—this is Merlot with finesse.
When should I drink this wine?
It's drinking perfectly now and will continue to improve until 2032. No need to wait, but it will reward a few years of patience if you prefer more complexity.
What food pairs well with this wine?
Excellent with roasted meats, game, or rich pasta dishes. The smooth texture also makes it perfect with cured meats and aged cheeses for a simple but elegant pairing.
Do I need to decant this wine?
No decanting required—just serve at cellar temperature around 16-17°C and let it open up naturally in the glass over 30 minutes.
Is this wine worth cellaring?
It will develop nicely over the next 6 years, gaining complexity and secondary flavours, but it's also drinking beautifully now if you prefer fresher fruit character.
How does this compare to other Merlots?
This is much more restrained and mineral-driven than New World Merlots, with the elegance you'd expect from Friuli's prestigious Collio region. Think European finesse rather than power.
OUR GROWERS
Primosic
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