"Sogno" by Sant’Andrea, the soft side of life

Some time ago, inside an article in which I praised Cesanese grape, I referred to the great dignity of Lazio's red wines production based on the use of international grape varieties, a market that is often underrated (if not downright vilified) by both critics and enthusiasts.

I had a further proof on the subject a few nights ago, when I found myself in front of "Sogno" (translation of “dream”) by Sant'Andrea, an interesting Merlot/Cesanese blend – with the first clearly predominantly – that represents the top of the winery range about red wines.

Now, if you inside a wine are necessarily looking for complexity, drinkability and elegance, if you are an ethusiast of "wines in subtraction", then you have the wrong target, but if instead you are satisfied (so to speak) to rich, round and structured wines, where the characters of Merlot are dominating, this is the right label for you.

In fact, the careful selection of the best grapes - also harvested in a slight over-ripening – the long maceration and the protract aging period on oak barrique make it a wine of good value, which even in a vintage certainly not to be remembered as 2014 loses nothing of its usual pleasantness.

Of course, some "purists" may object that this wine is too soft – probably it’s true - but (without falling into blasphemy) man doesn’t live drinking only Barolo, and sometimes you can also be satisfied with wines that make concentration and richness their strong point.

With all due respect to the wine-taliban or everybody who - often only for prejudice - hate Merlot.

Sogno Lazio IGT 2014
Personal rating: 88/100
Grapes: 85% Merlot, 15% Cesanese
Aging: 18 months in small oak barrels + 6 months in bottle
Alcohol Content: 14.5%
Price range: 12-15 €

TASTING
👀 Ruby, still young, dark and impenetrable with important density
👃Typological, clean and intense, which highlights both the characteristics of Merlot and the overripe harvest of the grapes, as well as the long aging in wood. Medium complexity and finesse. Ripe red fruit (almost jam), chocolate, coffee, eucalyptus, light spiciness (pepper), sweet tobacco note in the background.
👄Medium to full bodied, coherent to the nose, rich and soft but still pleasant and overall balanced by a mix of freshness and flavor even higher than expected. Sweet and very smooth tannins. Medium persistence, clean finish even if a little static.