95pts James Suckling

The tapenade, blackberry, chocolate and hazelnut notes are intense in the nose and palate. It’s tightly knit and well-focused, with round tannins that are compact at the same time. Flavorful and pointed. It needs two or three years to open. Try after 2024.

93pts Vinous

The 2019 Blumeri pulls the taster close to work for its beguiling blend of grilled sage, cedar shavings, dusty rose and wild blueberries. It’s sleek and youthfully slender with soft textures and ripe red and blue fruits underscored by saline minerals as brisk acidity maintains balance. This finishes long yet dark and inward, leaving a salty tinge and concentration of balsamic spices and dried fruits framed by fine-grained tannins. Bury your bottles deep in the cellar. The Blumeri is a blend of Merlot and Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso.

Winery Notes

Aziende Agricola Mario Schiopetto is one of the oldest wine estates in the Collio area and a leading light of the wine industry in Friuli. In the rolling hills in Capriva del Friuli, Mario Schiopetto founded this legendary estate in 1965 making new and highly controversial wines using stainless steel that would eventually inspire the entire Italian wine industry. The Schiopetto family's vineyards cover the estate surrounding the former residence of the Bishop of Gorizia in the Rosazzo hills that form part of the Eastern Hills of Friuli. Gradually Mario’s children, Maria Angela, Carlo and Giorgio joined him in running the business, carrying on his project with sensitivity and respect, with love of tradition and real passion. In April 2014 the business passed into the hands of the Rotolo family who intend to maintain intact Mario’s mission and productive philosophy for the sake of continuity.