Bosco del Merlo Refosco Roggio dei Roveri Riserva 2020

Bosco del Merlo Refosco Roggio dei Roveri Riserva 2020 is a characterful Venetian red that showcases one of Italy’s most historic native grapes in a refined, modern style. Sourced from an original old vineyard considered part of Italy’s biodiversity and cultural heritage, this Riserva captures both place and tradition in the glass. Its name refers to the distinctive red hue that appears at the base of the stalk (peduncle) as the grapes ripen, and it echoes the imagery of Giovanni Pascoli’s poem “Arano” from the celebrated collection *Myricae*.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, this Refosco Riserva shows a deep, intense ruby red with violet highlights that hint at its vibrancy and concentration. The nose is expressive and layered, offering dark cherries, wild blackberry and ripe plum, intertwined with notes of violets, dried herbs, peppery spice and a gentle undercurrent of cocoa and sweet tobacco from barrel aging. On the palate, it is medium to full-bodied with the hallmark freshness of Refosco: lively acidity supporting generous dark fruit, supported by firm yet well-polished tannins. Flavors of black cherry, mulberry and damson are framed by hints of licorice, forest floor and a touch of balsamic complexity on the finish. The structure and balance suggest excellent aging potential; while already enjoyable now, it should continue to develop added nuance and softness over 8–10 years from the vintage, gaining more tertiary notes of leather, dried flowers and spice.

Production
The grapes for Roggio dei Roveri Riserva come from select parcels within the Bosco del Merlo estate in Veneto, where the vineyards benefit from well-drained, predominantly clay-limestone and gravelly soils, gentle slopes and cooling breezes that help preserve aromatic intensity and natural acidity. The Refosco is typically harvested by hand at optimal ripeness, with careful bunch selection to ensure only the healthiest fruit is used for this Riserva. After destemming, a prolonged maceration on the skins extracts color, tannin and aromatic depth, followed by temperature-controlled fermentation to retain freshness and purity of fruit. The wine is then matured in oak—often a mix of barriques and larger barrels—for an extended period, before further bottle aging, allowing the tannins to integrate and the wine’s complexity to fully emerge.

Food & Serving
This Refosco Riserva is a natural partner for robust, savory dishes. It pairs beautifully with grilled or roasted red meats, game birds, braised beef or lamb, and rich ragù sauces over polenta or fresh pasta. It also works well alongside aged cheeses such as Asiago, Grana Padano and mature pecorino. For optimal enjoyment, serve at 16–18°C (about 60–64°F). Decanting for 45–60 minutes before serving will help the wine open up its aromatics and soften the tannins, especially in its youthful stages.

Producer
Bosco del Merlo is part of the Paladin family’s wine project, founded in the 1960s on the border between Veneto and Friuli, in an area long recognized for its quality viticulture and rich biodiversity. Over the decades, the estate has become known for its dedication to native varieties such as Refosco and for a meticulous, vineyard-driven approach that highlights each grape’s character and the nuances of the local terroir. With a strong focus on sustainable farming, clonal selection and careful vineyard management, Bosco del Merlo has earned a reputation in the region for producing elegant, terroir-expressive wines that bridge the gap between tradition and contemporary craftsmanship.

We deliver within 2 - 6 business days. You can choose whether it should be to a parcel shop or home delivery. Free delivery to both parcel shops and your front door. Our store partners primarily use GLS, DPD, UPS and DHL for deliveries. We cover deliveries to the majority of countries in Europe.