Poggio al Drago Sangiovese Merlot

An evenly tempered red from the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, Poggio al Drago Sangiovese Merlot 2013.  Grocery store pricing for a better than average bottle of wine.

We picked up the 2013 Poggio al Drago Sangiovese Merlot at the rock bottom price point of $15.95.  One might expect swill, imagine our surprise when it turned out to have a tidy little bouquet and the lively fruitiness one might expect with the addition of Merlot, with the acidic backing of the Sangiovese.

A Brilliant Blend

Poggio al Drago Sangiovese Merlot; a blend of weighted with 85% Sangiovese balanced with 15% Merlot.  This is a tricky highwire act, and not always successful.  Often too dry and puckery, we usually steer clear of this rangy a blend.  But curiosity swayed us and, in the end, we found this vintage is well rounded as a result of careful blending.

A touch of vanilla, and a splash of herb lets it pair easily with duck, simple red meat dishes, lamb and meaty pastas.  Poggio al Drago Sangiovese Merlot 2013 78/100 on the Gypsy Scorecard.  A great volume buy for dinner parties and functions.  (We’ll take a case!)