A pure expression of Merlot that sees a partial "appassimento" or drying of the grapes (but clocks in at a normal 14% alcohol level), the Scarbolo 2015 Campo del Viotto opens to a wild or untamed character with dark fruit, plum and dried cherry. The fruit is backed up by crushed white pepper, tar, black licorice and spent campfire ember. This is an elegant, mid-weight wine that offers a new and intriguing view onto a grape you might think you know well. This wine offers a new side to Merlot. There is a subtle touch of hot-vintage sweetness on the close with fruit from clay-soil vineyards. This was a release of about 8,000 bottles.

The Scarbolo 2012 Merlot Campo del Viotto sees fruit sourced from old vines and it ages in French barrique for two years. The wine does not hold back in terms of aromatic intensity, but the aromas are a bit out of balance all said and done. There is dark fruit and cherry, but you also get black olive and some sharp rosemary or dried herbal tones. In the mouth, the wine delivers evident sweetness and a rich, chewy consistency.

The 2007 Merlot Campo del Viotto is impressive. Crushed red berries, flowers, licorice, new leather and deftly balanced French oak meld together effortlessly in this silky, racy red. The Campo del Viotto shows none of the green or herbal qualities that are so typical of Friulian reds. This is another perfumed, elegant and totally refined wine from Scarbolo. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2017. I was quite taken with the higher-end wines I tasted from Scarbolo this year. It would be nice to see a little more attention paid to the entry-level bottlings. Importer: Dark Star Imports, New York, NY; tel. (646) 312-8921