One of the icon wines of southern Italy, the 2018 Pàtrimo sources its fruit from 90- to 95-year-old vines. This plot became recognized as a single vineyard in 1999, and previous to that date, Merlot was hardly found or allowed in local winemaking tradition. This vintage prizes elegance and fine nuances of blackcurrant, plum and dried herb. The wine ages in medium-toast barrique for 18 months. Harvest in this spot was late, coming on October 1st, despite the early-ripening characteristics of Merlot. The site is exposed to lots of rain, and going forward, the estate is abandoning the lower elevation rows in favor of the highest parts of the cru. Some 8,000 bottles were released.