To pair with a lamb shish kebab, the Scubla 2017 Friuli Colli Orientali Scuro Rosso is a blend of Merlot and Refosco from a warm and dry vintage. You are immediately made aware of the vintage warmth thanks to those slightly sweet cherry and blackberry tones that lift so readily from the bouquet. Dark fruit tones are followed by earthy notes, smoke and campfire ash. This was a release of about 1,500 bottles.

A limited release of about 1,500 bottles, the Scubla 2016 Friuli Colli Orientali Scuro Rosso is a blend of the French grape Merlot paired with Refosco, a favorite native grape found in northeast Italy. The wine is richly textured and dark in color with aromas of ripe cherry, blackberry and blackcurrant. The Merlot adds softness and richness to the mouthfeel, and the Refosco adds a wild element of cherry sourness and bramble. It also contributes to the structure of the wine, and its slightly bitter finish suggests a match with a well-marbled steak.

Aptly named Scuro, or "dark," this is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso. The 2015 Friuli Colli Orientali Scuro Rosso gives you a generous dose of oak-aged Merlot softness with bold cherry and blackberry at the back. You do feel the warmth of this vintage, thanks to the wine's 14% alcohol. This is a great outdoor-barbecue wine. Production is 4,000 bottles.

A blend of 95% Merlot and 5% Refosco, the 2012 Friuli Colli Orientali Scuro Rosso is characterized by aromas of dark fruit, leather, tobacco and grilled herb. The wine shows good depth and overall softness. Grapes are sourced from marl soil on hillside vineyards. The wine is aged in new and neutral oak.

The 2006 Rosso Scuro (80% Merlot, 20% Refosco) offers up blackberry jam, spices, grilled herbs, cassis, minerals and French oak in a medium to full-bodied style. A refined, silky finish rounds out this delicious Friulian red. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2018. Roberto Scubla doesn’t seem to get as much attention as some of his neighbors, but his wines merit considerable attention.Importer: Vinifera Imports, Ronkonkoma, NY; tel. (631) 467-5907