Kris Wines are imported by the highly respected Winebow a brand you can generally count on, this wine is a Leonardo Locascio Selection. I have liked other Kris wines so decided to take a chance on this one which was on sale at Shoppers Vineyard in Clifton for $7.99.
Merlot is not a grape I would usually choose when looking at Italian wines. I generally prefer grapes indigenous to the country. Nevertheless, this turned out to be a wonderfully robust, fruit forward wine with great body.
I love the label, these artistic labels are a signature of Kris wines.
The wines, which also include a Pinot Grigio and a Pinot Noir are handcrafted by seventh generation winemaker Franz Haas, that's Franz on the left, and his wife, Maria Luisa Manna Haas in Alto Adige using grapes carefully sourced from Italy's best wine regions.
The Merlot is "grown in the lean soils and sunny climate of Sicily. The mountain vineyards with consistent Mediterranean sunshine and protection from the Sirocco winds produce top-quality Merlot fruit, vintage after vintage." Importer
"Garnet in color with intense perfumes of wild berries, crushed fruit, and leather. Ripe fruit flavors are will sustained by lively acidity." Importer
I love this wine and recommend it. It is powerful so pair it with strong meat dishes.
We had it with some dishes that my friend Greg Calbi picked up from the great Italian market Visentini Brothers in Lodi, NJ and Greg's own homemade Bolognese sauce over Gnocchi.
Many wines stores in jersey carry this. Look for it on www.vinquire.com.
For fun we tasted this wine against a $60 Burgundy, Gevrey-Chambertin, from Cool Vines in Westfield and Princeton. While at a high level there was no contest. Tasted alone the Burgundy was much better, but with food the Kris Heart Merlot was just right.
