93 points Vinous
Drink Date: 2026–2038
Made from 100% Merlot, the 2019 Collio Rosso Riserva is particularly special because Borgo del Tiglio did not produce its top Rosso della Centa bottling in 2019, so all of that old-vine Merlot was incorporated into the Riserva. The wine shows beautifully ripe blueberries and cherries layered with fresh mint, allspice and floral notes. Sleek and energetic rather than heavy, the fruit is balanced by fresh acidity and fine, gently gripping tannins. Aged for approximately two years in small French oak barrels, this is a wonderfully elegant and distinctly Friulian interpretation of Merlot, produced at just 13.5% alcohol.

Our Take: This is serious Merlot, but don't expect the plush, heavy, super-ripe style the grape can produce in warmer climates. Deep ruby in color, the nose is pronounced and complex, opening with ripe blueberry, blackberry and cherry, followed by lavender, fresh mint, allspice and savory earthy notes. The palate is medium-full bodied, sleek and beautifully balanced, with medium-plus acidity giving the wine surprising freshness and energy. The flavors are intense but refined, with ripe red and blue fruits complemented by floral, spice and subtle savory notes, while medium-plus, finely grained tannins provide structure without overwhelming the fruit. The finish is long, fresh and gently structured, leaving lingering notes of blackberry, lavender, spice and a touch of sour cherry/citrus freshness. This is Merlot through a very different lens—more about elegance, freshness and balance than sheer power—and exactly the kind of red you would expect from one of Friuli's great white-wine producers.

• Variety: 100% Merlot
• Appellation: Collio DOC
• Vineyard: Estate vineyards on the San Giorgio hill in Brazzano, immediately surrounding Borgo del Tiglio
• Special 2019 Selection: No Rosso della Centa was produced in 2019, so the old-vine Merlot normally reserved for the estate's top red was incorporated into the Rosso Riserva
• Vineyard: The Rosso Riserva comes from a distinct mid-slope parcel planted in the 1970s; the neighboring Rosso della Centa parcel was planted to Merlot in 1970
• Terrain: Very steep, historically terraced hillsides, supported by traditional dry-stone walls
• Soils: Classic Collio Ponca/Flysch, composed of alternating layers of marl and sandstone, with underlying clay particularly well suited to Merlot
• Terroir: Nicola Manferrari believes the clay derived from Collio's marl is particularly favorable for Merlot, helping produce wines with richness and structure while retaining the freshness and tension characteristic of the site
• Farming: Sustainable/close-to-nature viticulture, with careful yield control and an emphasis on vine balance
• Harvest: Later harvest in 2019, contributing excellent fruit maturity while the finished wine remained at only 13.5% alcohol
• Winemaking: Grapes are destemmed and moved by gravity into small conical stainless-steel fermenters. After fermentation, the wine remains on the skins for approximately three additional weeks before being transferred by gravity to barrel
• Élevage: Completes malolactic fermentation in small French oak barrels, followed by approximately 24 months in barrique, typically with only one racking
• Alcohol: 13.5%
• Serving Temperature: 18–20°C / 64–68°F
• Aging Potential: Excellent — Vinous recommends 2026–2038. Eric Guido's vertical tasting of Borgo del Tiglio's Rosso Riserva found remarkable freshness and longevity in older vintages, including wines going back several decades

The Vineyard & Soils

The story of Borgo del Tiglio's reds begins on the San Giorgio hill in Brazzano, where Nicola Manferrari inherited old Merlot planted on steep, terraced slopes surrounding the winery. The soils are classic Collio Ponca—alternating layers of marl and sandstone—with underlying clay, and Manferrari came to believe that these heavier, clay-influenced soils were particularly well suited to Merlot. The vineyards are so steep that they were historically terraced with dry-stone walls, creating a site that naturally limits vigor while providing excellent drainage and exposure.

The Rosso Riserva comes from a distinct mid-slope parcel planted in the 1970s, while the estate's even rarer Rosso della Centa comes from an adjoining old Merlot vineyard. That distinction matters enormously in 2019, because Manferrari decided not to bottle Rosso della Centa at all; instead, that fruit was incorporated into the Rosso Riserva. The result is an unusually complete version of the wine, combining the elegance and freshness that define Rosso Riserva with fruit that would ordinarily be destined for Borgo del Tiglio's top Merlot.

Nicola's goal has never been to make a massive, international-style Merlot. His aim is fullness without sacrificing freshness and drinkability, and that's really the key to understanding this wine. The combination of old vines, steep Ponca terraces, low yields, long skin contact and two years in French oak produces a Merlot with plenty of depth and structure, but the signature remains elegance, freshness and balance.