Paolo Conterno Fiore Di Cupolone 2016

Paolo Conterno "Fiore di Cupolone" Toscana 2016 is a rich, beautifully structured single-varietal Merlot crafted by a producer world-renowned for their traditional Barolos. Venturing into Tuscany, the family draws fruit from ~25-year-old vines grown on steep, high-altitude (400 to 450 meters) south-facing slopes in Pratolino, just north of Florence. Benefiting from the legendary, universally acclaimed 2016 Tuscan vintage—widely considered one of the finest of the century—this wine masterfully pairs old-world balance with the natural plushness of the variety.

Following a 15-to-20-day temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel to maximize color and flavor extraction, the wine shows a highly viscous, intense ruby-red color in the glass. The nose is expressive and complex, unrolling deep layers of dark cherries, plums, and wild blueberries, seamlessly integrated with notes of redcurrant, sweet spice, and a hint of toast. On the palate, it is full-bodied, mouthfilling, and powerful ($14.5\%$ ABV), displaying excellent concentration balanced by a distinct backbone of structural tannins and fresh acidity. The finish is remarkably long, wrapping up with subtle balsamic undertones and a lingering touch of white pepper.

Food Pairing: Grilled ribeye steak, roasted lamb chops, slow-braised wild boar ragù, or roasted duck breast.