The 2015 Alto Adige Merlot Riserva Kastelaz is a very soft, luscious and bright expression of the French grape. There are lots of rich cherry notes followed by dried blackberry, spice and sweet tobacco. In a sense, the wine shows more width than length. It's a direct and generous Merlot to accompany lamb meatballs with rosemary marinated potatoes. The wine ages in oak for 18 months. Some 6,000 bottles were made.