Winemaker Notes
Intensely red in color with purple reflections, this wine contains aromas of forest berries, sweet spice and vanilla bean. Round and harmonious on the palate, this wine has sweet tannins and a non-imposing finish.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The Cotarella family was especially attracted to the idea of making Merlot in Lazio thanks to the volcanic soils commonly found in this region. Since 2015, when they made their first vintage, the family has worked to hone in on the special qualities of these soils. The Falesco Famiglia Cotarella 2018 Merlot Sodale is indeed electric and energized with bright berry fruit and lifted aromas of dark mineral and grilled herb. This Merlot shows more saltiness than it does overt sweetness. To the palate, it is earthy, compact and deep. You get terrific value here.
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James Suckling
A medium-to full-bodied red with aromas of dried flowers, peaches, plums, bark and chocolate orange. Firm, fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity. Structured and flavorful. Drink or hold.
With generous fruit and supple tannins, Merlot is made in a range of styles from everyday-drinking to world-renowned and age-worthy. Merlot is the dominant variety in the wines from Bordeaux’s Right Bank regions of St. Emilion and Pomerol, where it is often blended with Cabernet Franc to spectacular result. Merlot also frequently shines on its own, particularly in California’s Napa Valley. Somm Secret—As much as Miles derided the variety in the 2004 film, Sideways, his prized 1961 Château Cheval Blanc is actually a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
Known as the ancient homeland of the Latins, today there is a vigorus wine industry beyond the city limits of modern, bustling Rome. The Cesanese grape, full of red berry, spice and rose, is responsible for Lazio’s only true local reds. Lazio’s most famous white wine, called Frascati, is based on the local Malvasia del Lazio and Trebbiano Toscana. A sweet version, called Cannellino di Frascati, is also made.