by Andrew Chalk
An unusual blend of 40% rebo, 40% merlot, 20% corvina, rebo being a cross between merlot and teroldogo. The merlot undergoes an appassimento process (drying grapes before pressing in order to concentrate the juice). Pratello uses estate harvested grapes grown on hills on the southwestern shore of Lake Garda in the region of Lombardy. The wine was racked and aged in 500hl French oak barrels for 8-10 months followed by six months of bottle ageing.
The ‘Mille1’ name refers either to the, likely apocryphal, 1001 kilometre length of Italy, or the mille miglia 1000 mile race in a loop around Italy. The iconic red Fiat 500 suggests the latter.
Appearance: Ruby virtually opaque core, purple edges;
Nose: Stewed raspberry fruit, pine needles, cotton candy;
Palate: Medium-plus acid, soft tannins. Red fruit of raspberry, cherry, wood influences (not new oak), tobacco, raisins;
Overall: This is a soft, immediately approachable wine. It would be great paired with pasta, gnocchi, pork chops, and game bird.
Sample