Prendina, Faial, Garda, Lombardy, Italy, 2019

An astonishingly expressive Merlot made at Prendina, one of four estates southeast of Lake Garda owned by the Piona family. With 70% of the grapes partially dried and after 18 months in wood, the result is an elegant and complex explosion of fresh berry fruit, chocolate, coffee, liquorice and spice. The name, Faial, is after the island in the Azores that proved a safe haven for late owner Luciano Piona during storms at sea.