Merlot Riserva Graf de la Tour Collio DOC 2020 - Villa Russiz

Merlot Riserva "Graf de la Tour" Collio DOC – Villa Russiz

THE PINNACLE OF FRIULIAN MERLOT

“Graf de la Tour” is the flagship Merlot from Villa Russiz, crafted from a single 25-year-old vineyard beside the winery, with south-west exposure and marl-clay soils. This wine represents the perfect synergy between terroir and varietal.

After hand-harvesting, the grapes undergo 20 days of maceration, followed by 24 months aging in 225-liter French oak barriques and 10 months in bottle. The result is a complex, elegant Merlot with great aging potential.

Deep ruby red, it opens with rich notes of cherry, blackberry, and black cherry, evolving into balsamic, spicy, and toasted nuances. The palate is velvety, generous, with refined tannins and a long, elegant finish. Perfect with roasted meats, game, aged cheeses, or simply savored with dark chocolate in quiet reflection.

Best enjoyed during: special dinners, rich meat dishes, contemplative evenings with chocolate and conversation.

This wine Merlot Graf de la Tour briefly

Denomination: Collio DOC
Vintage: 2020
Dosage: Dry
Grape variety: Merlot
Region: Friuli Venezia Giulia (IT), Capriva del Friuli (GO)
Refinement: Steel and small oak barrels
Serving temperature: 14/16°C
Alcohol content: 14% vol.

Villa Russiz – The soul of Collio: a legacy of elegance, history, and social commitment

Villa Russiz is more than just a winery—it is a place where the noble character of Friulian land intertwines with a visionary spirit, turning wine into a symbol of cultural and social heritage. Founded in 1869 by French Count Theodor de La Tour and his Austrian wife Elvine Ritter, the estate rises among the sun-kissed hills of Capriva del Friuli, in the heart of Collio—one of Italy’s most prestigious wine regions. From the very beginning, Villa Russiz stood out by introducing advanced French-inspired winemaking techniques, paving the way for a legacy of high-quality production that still defines its identity today. The estate’s 50 hectares of vineyards grow on "ponca" soil—Collio’s signature marl—that lends the wines refined aromas and vibrant minerality. Villa Russiz's production philosophy blends agronomic precision, manual harvesting, and winemaking practices that respect the uniqueness of each varietal. Aging takes place in stainless steel or oak barrels, depending on the wine, enhancing the pure expression of each grape. The estate is renowned for its elegant, long-lived white wines—Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Friulano, and Ribolla Gialla—and its structured reds like Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Iconic crus such as Graf de La Tour, Gräfin de La Tour, and Défi de La Tour represent the pinnacle of its production. What truly sets Villa Russiz apart is its social mission: a portion of the proceeds supports the Villa Russiz Foundation, which for over a century has cared for and supported children in need—honoring the humanitarian legacy of Elvine de La Tour. Each bottle, therefore, tells a story not only of soil and vine, but of compassion, dedication, and solidarity. A winery where enological excellence meets ethical purpose, making every glass a tribute to beauty and meaning.