Come Se (or “as if” in Italian) is a 100% merlot produced by Caterina Carli in memory of her late father, who planted vineyards in Castelnuovo dell’Abate just south of Montalcino. This wine is, remarkably, aged for up to 10 years in large botti to temper what Caterina dislikes most about the varietal: an exaggerated boldness, an overbearing masculinity that risks getting boring after the first glass. In Caterina’s words, merlot is able to lose such characteristics and return to the spiritual purity that is the essence of Montalcino, losing its toughness and masculinity and instead acquiring a curious, refined elegance “as if” it were a woman!
The nose is full of tertiary aromas such as dried blue flower, liquorice and chocolate. The velvety smooth palate still maintains a good concentration of dark fruit, with an enthralling note of spice on the long, lingering finish. A truly meditative wine that can last for decades.
