Dried Morello cherry, aged leather, goji berry. Dehydrated blackberry, tomato leaf, sour rhubarb preserve. Red currant, crushed boysenberry, and dried raspberry highlight a tart and tense yet substantial and well-developed core brilliantly complicated by oregano, bella mushroom, and potpourri. Powerful wafts of gorgeously dusty earthy funk bring waves of dried clay, chalk, and rust to intertwine with dessicated rose petals, decomposing leaves, and forest floor in an intricate dance of raw soil and organic decay. Coriander, bay leaf, white pepper, and parsley reveal an edge of complex herbs and spice to accentuate high-toned nuances of old barrel, permanent marker, and subtle barnyard. Impressively savory and rustic while still remaining surprisingly lively and fresh; exhibiting serious structure alongside gorgeous tertiary development expressed with distinctly Italian old world flair. Medium bodied and bone dry on the palate with pronounced gripping tannin balanced out perfectly by high acidity. This 2011 Friuli Colli Orientali Pignolo by Castello di Buttrio is an incredibly intriguing and characterful red from Friuli-Venezia Giulia.

Located in the far northeastern corner of Italy directly bordering Austria and Slovenia, Fruili-Venezia Giulia is an ancient and diverse winegrowing region known for producing everything from crisp whites to powerful tannic reds. This bottling, crafted by Castello di Buttrio using 100% Pignolo grown within the Friuli Colli Orientali subregion, showcases the incredible muscle and complexity that can be coaxed from one of Friuli-Venezia Giulia's most unique native grapes. This wine contains a wonderfully concentrated yet finesse-driven punch of dusty red and black berry fruit matched in intensity by pronounced herbal, spiced, and earthy character. At 9 years of age it is beginning to reveal incredible developmental complexity yet contains the structure to continue maturing and improving for decades. This is an extremely food friendly, authentic, and delicious Italian gem.