Dalia Maris, Colli Orientali del Friuli Pignolo 'Pignûl' 2018

Dalia Maris is a project from Giampolo Venica, whose family winery - Venica e Venica - is the benchmark for the Italian region of Friuli. After working three consecutive harvests with Jean-Louis Chave in Hermitage, Giampolo turned his attention back to Friuli and its native grapes. For red wines, that means pignolo, a notoriously finicky variety that was on the verge of extinction just a couple decades ago. In Giampolo’s hands, it yields a firmly structured, deeply savory red that’s only bottled in select vintages.

Tastes like: Blueberry, violet, leather, black olive. 

How to Drink: Ideal with braised lamb or cheese and charcuterie.