2005 Südtirol / Alto Adige DOC Merlot Brenntal, Alto Adige, Italy

Mature nose, herbs and spices, preserved berries, light earthy notes, lovage and some old oak. Cool and fairly light-bodied on the palate, roasted spicy oak, partly preserved berry fruit, spicy undergrowth, slightly bitter with a hint of pimento, integrated tannins, has some substance, very slightly alcoholic in spite of the cool style, dark chocolate on a good finish.

Best to drink: Bis 2010. What our ratings mean