{"title":"Falesco Pesano Umbria","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"falesco-pesano-umbria-merlot","title":"Falesco Pesano Umbria Merlot","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFalesco Pesano Umbria Merlot\u003c\/strong\u003e is a 100% Merlot red wine from Umbria, Central Italy, bottled at 13% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Scored 90 points by \u003cem\u003eWine Enthusiast\u003c\/em\u003e on its 2005 vintage, this expression demonstrates how seriously the Cotarella family takes Merlot in a region better known for Sangiovese and Sagrantino.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Facts:\u003c\/strong\u003e ABV: 13%  |  Origin: Umbria, Central Italy  |  100% Merlot, 12 Months Oak  |  Producer: Falesco\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eProduction \u0026amp; Heritage\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFalesco was founded by Riccardo Cotarella — one of Italy's most respected consulting enologists — alongside his daughter Dominga and his brother Renzo Cotarella. Breaking with Italian convention, the family planted what they considered the best available Merlot clones in clay-limestone soils across their Umbrian vineyard holdings, a terroir that gives the grape a distinctly mineral-driven character. The Pesano spends 12 months aging in oak barrels, building structure and complexity while preserving the fruit intensity that the clay-rich soils encourage in this precocious variety.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e The nose opens with mature redcurrant and blackberry, giving way to warm layers of cinnamon, ginger, and roasted espresso. A subtle vanilla sweetness from oak aging rounds out the aromatic profile.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e On the palate, the wine enters with concentrated dark fruit — blackberry and black cherry — before moving into a rich mid-palate of fudge, burned leather, and baking spice. Vibrant acidity keeps the weight in check, while firm tannins provide a structured backbone that speaks to the clay-limestone terroir.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e The finish is medium-long with lingering espresso and vanilla tones layered over dried spice. A light sweetness persists alongside a mineral edge that adds freshness and balance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eHow to Drink Pesano Merlot\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Umbrian Merlot is best served at 16–18°C (61–64°F); it benefits from 20–30 minutes of breathing in the glass to let the layered aromatics fully emerge. A classic \u003cstrong\u003eNegroni\u003c\/strong\u003e riff using a Merlot reduction syrup can highlight the wine's espresso and bitter spice notes. Pair it alongside a \u003cstrong\u003eSpritz\u003c\/strong\u003e as a pre-dinner red alternative — its acidity keeps it refreshing enough. For a creative pairing at a dinner gathering, serve it with a \u003cstrong\u003ered wine sangria\u003c\/strong\u003e built around dark berries, cinnamon sticks, and orange peel to echo its natural flavor profile.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eBest For\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeeknight Italian dinners featuring pasta with rich, meaty ragù\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroducing friends to high-quality Italian Merlot beyond Bordeaux benchmarks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGifting to a wine enthusiast exploring Central Italian reds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuilding a cellar selection of well-scored, value-driven Italian wines\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does Pesano Merlot taste like?\u003c\/strong\u003e It delivers layered dark fruit — blackberry, black cherry, and redcurrant — woven together with espresso, fudge, cinnamon, and vanilla from 12 months of oak aging. Vibrant acidity and firm tannins give it a structured, assertive character that distinguishes it from softer New World Merlots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does Pesano Merlot compare to Falesco Vitiano Rosso?\u003c\/strong\u003e Vitiano Rosso is a Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon-Sangiovese blend from the same producer, designed as an everyday value wine, while Pesano is a single-varietal 100% Merlot with 12 months of oak aging and greater concentration. The Pesano carries more depth and structure, reflecting a more focused expression of Falesco's Umbrian terroir.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Pesano Merlot good for sipping neat?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — its balanced acidity, layered aromatics, and medium-long finish make it a satisfying wine to drink on its own, particularly after a brief period of aeration to open up the espresso and spice notes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere is Pesano Merlot made?\u003c\/strong\u003e It is produced by Falesco in Umbria, Central Italy, where the family's vineyards sit on clay-limestone soils that lend mineral complexity to the Merlot grape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat foods pair well with Pesano Merlot?\u003c\/strong\u003e Slow-braised short ribs benefit from the wine's firm tannins cutting through rich fat. Aged pecorino cheese mirrors its earthy, savory qualities. Wild mushroom risotto complements the leather and spice tones. Dark chocolate desserts echo the fudge and espresso notes. Grilled lamb chops with rosemary match the wine's herbal undertones and structural weight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat sizes does Pesano Merlot come in?\u003c\/strong\u003e The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Pesano Merlot worth the price?\u003c\/strong\u003e It positions as a mid-range Italian red that consistently punches above its weight — the 90-point \u003cem\u003eWine Enthusiast\u003c\/em\u003e score and multiple \u003cem\u003eWine Spectator\u003c\/em\u003e ratings in the mid-to-high 80s place it firmly in quality territory that often commands higher prices from other regions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWhy Pesano Merlot?\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat sets this wine apart is the Cotarella family's deliberate decision to champion Merlot in Umbria — a region where the grape is rarely treated as a flagship varietal. The clay-limestone soils and careful clone selection produce a Merlot with a distinctly Italian sense of structure and acidity, far removed from the plush, fruit-forward style typical of warmer climates. Its 90-point \u003cem\u003eWine Enthusiast\u003c\/em\u003e score and consistent recognition from \u003cem\u003eWine Spectator\u003c\/em\u003e across multiple vintages confirm that this is not a novelty but a serious expression of terroir-driven winemaking. For anyone seeking an Italian red that challenges expectations of what Merlot can be, the Pesano delivers substance and character with every glass.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Falesco Pesano Umbria","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44836848730281,"sku":"16219","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}]}],"url":"https:\/\/theliquorbarn.com\/collections\/falesco-pesano-umbria.oembed","provider":"The Liquor Barn","version":"1.0","type":"link"}