Antenata Toscana Merlot Toscana IGT 0.75L

A single-varietal Merlot that only sees the light of day in strong vintages — that says a lot about the standards of Tenuta Vallocaia. The Antenata is created from the Cru Santa Maria near Montepulciano, one of the most renowned sites in southern Tuscany, where the Merlot develops a depth on clay-rich soils that goes far beyond the everyday.

Twelve months of aging in new French barriques, followed by another twelve months of bottle aging — this patient handling of the wine noticeably shapes its character. On the nose, dark cherries and blackberry appear, underpinned by cedar wood, mocha, and a hint of chocolate. On the palate, the body is full, the tannins are dense but well-integrated, the finish long and warm with subtle roasted aromas.

Best served at 16–18 °C — feel free to decant an hour beforehand so that the aroma potential can fully unfold. The bottle pairs well with hearty meat dishes like braised beef cheek, lamb shank with rosemary, or matured Pecorino Stagionato.