2015 Venissa Rosso

From Santa Cristina – a private island in the Venice lagoon – Venissa Rosso is one of the world’s most unusual reds. Ruby red with garnet undertones, the 2015 Venissa Rosso is intense, dynamic and complex. Now over five years old, the wine (a blend of 82% Merlot and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged for 12 months in oak) still displays fresh fruit – with notes of plum, cherry, red apple, raspberry and wild strawberry complemented by white pepper, cacao, tobacco leaf, incense and a hint of iodine. On the palate it is extremely complex, with persistent red apple and raspberry fruit, balanced tannins and great length to the fresh, mineral finish. Careful work in the vineyard has produced a wine with extraordinary complexity. Strict fruit selection means Venissa made only 1,350 (0.5-litre) bottles of the 2015 Rosso – making this remarkable wine even rarer.