Primo Passo 2021

Merlot doc Ticino 2021 - barrique - Stradivini

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65.00 CHF
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Characteristics

Vintage: 2021

Type: Ticino DOC Merlot

Grape variety: Merlot

Alcohol content: 14.7%

Color: intense ruby red with subtle garnet reflections.

Bouquet: Refined and layered, opening with notes of black cherry, pomegranate, and wild blackberry, complemented by hints of tobacco leaf, black tea, and forest floor. Subtle spice nuances of white pepper and nutmeg follow, supported by a clear mineral and stony character that adds depth, tension, and a strong sense of place. The overall impression is precise, balanced, and elegant.

Taste: On the palate, the wine is taut, linear, and well-defined, with a harmonious and dynamic progression. The tannins are fine-grained, polished, and seamlessly integrated, providing structure without heaviness. Flavors recall sour cherry, redcurrant, and fresh blackberry, followed by notes of Mediterranean herbs, delicate licorice, and light cocoa. The finish is long, precise, and mineral, marked by a stony, subtly spicy persistence that invites another sip.

Vinification

Winemaking: Only the finest grapes from the best vineyard sites, which contribute additional strength to the ripening process, qualify for our Primo Passo. With meticulous attention during harvest, our family and friends hand-select Merlot grapes, choosing only the perfect berries of the highest quality, which are carefully placed in small boxes. These grapes undergo a controlled drying process in a cool, well-ventilated room, enhancing their sugar, acid, and aroma concentrations. Fermentation occurs in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. After fermentation, the young Primo Passo wine is aged in carefully selected French oak barriques for approximately 2 years.

Drying: 15 days

Maceration: 26 days

Aging: 24 months

Other vintages
Primo Passo 2021
Regular price
65.00 CHF
Regular price
Sale price
65.00 CHF
Primo Passo 2021Primo Passo 2021

2021

current vintage

The 2021 vintage in Gordola was one of the most complex and demanding of the last ten years, marking a clear break from the more regular and generous harvests of the recent past. It was a year that required great care and sensitivity in the vineyard, yet one that rewarded these efforts with results of depth and strong character. The growing season began with a cool and unstable spring, which slowed early vine development compared to the average of the previous decade. In the months that followed, weather conditions were dominated by frequent rainfall and pronounced variability, with hailstorms affecting several surrounding wine regions. Fortunately, our vineyards in Gordola were spared from these events, allowing the vines to continue their cycle without structural damage. The summer of 2021 stood out for its less extreme climate compared to the warmer recent vintages: moderate temperatures and a gradual ripening process encouraged a slow and steady evolution of the grapes. In contrast to many of the past ten years, often characterized by rapid and early ripening, this vintage preserved freshness, balance, and aromatic finesse. The final phase of the season, between late August and September, proved decisive. More stable, sunny, and dry days allowed the grapes to reach harmonious ripeness, resulting in a harvest of healthy, concentrated, and expressive fruit. Overall lower yields further enhanced the quality and intensity of the grapes. When compared with the average of the last ten years, 2021 stands out as a vintage of challenge and selection—less generous in quantity, yet capable of producing wines of great elegance, precision, and a strong sense of place. A vintage that tells the story of vineyard dedication and the ability to transform complex conditions into an authentic and surprising result.

"Certain steps let you grow but there is only one that changes your life. Don’t stand still, enjoy the first step – Primo Passo"