# Langhe Merlot (Barberis)

> Red, Langhe DOC Merlot by [Barberis](https://ilvinobello.com/wineries/barberis.md), Langhe, Piemonte, Italy. From Il Vino Bello (https://ilvinobello.com/wines/barberis-langhe-merlot).

- **Producer:** Barberis
- **Style:** Red
- **Denomination:** Langhe DOC Merlot
- **Grape:** Merlot 100%
- **Production area:** Cortemilia (CN), about 270 m above sea level; restored historic terraces inside the castle walls, under the Cortemilia tower
- **Soil:** Sandy with a small percentage of marl
- **Exposure:** South
- **Harvest:** Second ten days of October, hand-picked
- **Vineyard planting:** Guyot, 4,000 vines/ha; planted 2014 (per the web page)
- **Vinification:** Soft destemming and crushing that leaves the berries whole; fermentation at controlled temperature; racking, clarification and 2-3 rackings; spontaneous malolactic fermentation in steel for 3-5 months. 8-9 months in steel with weekly bâtonnages, then 12 months on noble lees in regenerated barriques (90% French, 10% American oak), and 12-18 months in bottle before release.
- **Serving temperature:** 16-18 °C
- **Last updated:** 2026-10-04



## Summary

Merlot from restored terraces beneath Cortemilia's castle tower, aged 12 months in oak. 14.5% vol. per the 2026 tech sheet.

## Tasting notes

Light ruby red with garnet reflections. Opens on cherry, plum, blueberry and hazelnut, then evolves into black pepper, cardamom and cocoa. Elegant and soft with velvety tannins; a long, enveloping finish that keeps its freshness.

## Food pairings

Rich, savoury dishes from any region. In Piedmont: plin in roast-meat sauce, white truffle risotto, sautéed porcini. In Italy: tagliatelle with ragù, tuna in hazelnut crust, aged cheeses. Worldwide: Moroccan couscous, hamburger, BBQ ribs.