Merago 2015

The great Franco Bernabei is the man behind this fabulous, high-scoring red from the Marches. His aim was to show the elegance and finesse that can be achieved in a Montepulciano wine from a higher altitude and cooler climate. In fact, the vineyards are just 15 kilometres from the Appenines, so enjoy a great breezy freshness, which results in Merago's superb layers of intriguing complexity and elegance. No wonder it's won five top scores and is still ageing well. No expense was spared in its making – all the grapes were hand picked into small baskets, very gently crushed, slowly fermented, then the wine gently aged in Slavonian oak casks for 18 months. It didn't stop there either, with a further 18 months in bottle. Best decanted early.