The 2007 Merlot a very pretty, sleek red with compelling aromatics layered into expressive red fruit. The Merlot reveals terrific length on the palate, with a refined, energetic close. This is a gorgeous effort from Villa Russiz. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2012. Gianni Menotti makes some of the richest, most fully-flavored wines readers will come across in Friuli. The entry-level 2008 whites appear to be excellent across the board, but it is the 2006 Merlot Graf de La Tour that steals the show among these new releases.Importer: Empson, USA, Alexandria, VA; tel. (703) 684-0900