2009 Gravner "Rujno" Venezia Giulia Rosso Merlot Cabernet

The 2009 Rujno is a ghost in a bottle. As the Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon vines used for this cuvée have since been uprooted, every glass feels like a preservation of history. 2009 provided enough warmth to allow for a whisper of botrytis even on the reds, lending the wine a decadent, multi-dimensional complexity. The nose is a dark symphony of plum compote, shaved chocolate, and medicinal herbs. Unlike the Breg, the Rujno is velvety and expansive, coating the palate with a richness that is balanced by an iron-like core. It possesses a "gravity" that few wines in the world can match—an emotional weight that lingers long after the glass is empty. A final, towering achievement from a vineyard that no longer exists.