Wine Critic
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Stanislao RADIKON Merlot Collio, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2001
Triple 'A' producer.
Stanislao Radikon Merlot Collio 2001 is a red wine from the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region in Italy, specifically from the Collio area. It is made from 100% Merlot grapes, hand-harvested and traditionally produced with natural winemaking techniques including long maceration (30 to 60 days) in oak vats without temperature control and without added yeasts. The wine is then aged for about 5 years in old barriques (used barrels), followed by extended bottle aging, often around 10 years, before release. No chemical preservatives or filtration are used.
This wine typically shows a very intense ruby to garnet color, with a complex nose featuring small dehydrated red fruits, medicinal herbs, coffee, licorice, and balsamic notes. On the palate, it is elegant and velvety, well balanced between acidity, tannins, and texture, with a long, refined finish characterized by finesse and persistence. It pairs excellently with main dishes featuring red meat, game, aged cheeses, and braised or grilled meats.
The vineyard practices are organic and manual due to steep slopes, emphasizing respect for the terroir and natural processes. The unique bottle design mimics the proportions of a magnum, thought to be ideal for aging.
This vintage from 2001 is an example of the Radikon family's artisanal and traditional approach to winemaking, producing wines with great depth, structure, and aging potential, reflecting the Collio terroir in Friuli and the legacy of Stanislao "Stanko" Radikon who pioneered these methods.
