Cellar for up to 8 years. No need to decant before serving.

To afford to buy his first vineyards in Italy’s north-eastern Collio region, Dorino Lovin sold lumber and slowly pieced together the estate that is still owned by his family to this day. He also built a state-of-the-art winery that has put Lovin on the map for well-made white wines that showcase both the Collio region’s native varieties as well as international varieties like Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

The family also produces some remarkably elegant red wines like this unusual example made from the Pignolo variety which is rarely seen outside of Italy. Fruit is sourced from estate vineyards and carefully harvested by hand to ensure it arrives at the winery in optimal condition. The grapes then ferment in temperature-controlled tanks for 15 days followed by 15 months of ageing in oak barrels.

As soon as you pour out a glass of this inviting red, you’ll notice the elegant ruby red hue and enchanting notes of cassis, blackberry and black cherry with undertones of spice and toast from the oak. On the palate the tannins are soft and smooth and there’s a solid core of dark fruit which lingers on the tongue. The bold yet refined flavour profile makes this a great match for roasted meats like beef and pork as well as venison and even wild boar.