VINEYARD | A few rows planted in the same ridge where the grapes used for Casa di Bianca, the company's true cru for Moscato d'Asti, grow. It is a soil rich in limestone and clay, and it was here, more than 20 years ago, that Gianni Doglia wanted to plant his first vineyard. The idea was to have an alternative grape to moscato or barbera but still ideal to bring out the Asti terroir. The choice went to merlot, an international variety that was enjoying an excellent reputation in those very years. 600 rootstocks were planted, in the shade of a large oak tree, exactly the number of bottles currently produced. Since then the plants have remained the same, the production has not grown, and the production has remained a testimony to Gianni's accomplishment as a winemaker, with clear ideas and able to look to the future...
PERSON | Gianni Doglia is a great winemaker, a specialist in Moscato and Barbera. Already awarded Winemaker of the Year by the Vini d'Italia Guide, I have shown-especially in recent years-that he knows how to bottle great wines, technically precise, but above all true sons of the territory from which they come, the Asti area. At the end of the 1990s his father, passing the reins of the winery guide, told him "now it's time for you to do it," and Gianni first wanted to plant a vineyard from scratch, the very vineyard that gives rise to this wine. It was the year 1998 and since then that vineyard has remained the same, just a few rows from which to obtain a rare wine, produced with meticulousness and respect, just as he does for his beloved Moscato d'Asti or Barbera wines.
WINE | The nose makes it clear right away that we are not talking about Merlot here from the notes of jammy fruit, vanilla tones and soft, abundant palate. Gianni Doglia's Merlot is anything but. The scents are mild and delicate, there is small forest fruit (especially blueberry and blackberry), a delicate spicy nuance followed by bark, mint and noble resin sensations. The palate is vibrant and juicy. The structure is there, it is certainly not a light wine, but acid freshness and savoriness make the sip smooth, the tannic texture is impeccable, giving rhythm and punctuating a drink that goes deep, with textbook persistence.
