As good as the Badie is the 2004 Merlot Buri is even better. It, too, is a full-throttle wine, but exhibits slightly more delineation in the kaleidoscope of blackberries, smoke, tar, licorice, minerals and cassis notes that flow from the glass. Totally seductive and utterly compelling, it left me speechless. I am not sure if any producer in Italy will release three reds of this quality this year. The Merlot Buri is made from a plot in Buttrio. The soil composition changes very slightly from the plot in Rosazzo yet the two wines are remarkably unique. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2019
