2019 Castello dei Rampolla Liu Merlot

Castello dei Rampolla is located in Panzano’s famous Conca d’Oro or ‘golden basin” district, an amphitheater of striking, pristine hillside vineyards in Tuscany. The di Napoli family has owned Rampolla since 1739, and Alceo di Napoli inherited the estate in 1965. At the time, Rampolla was essentially a summer residence. Wheat, olive trees and other mixed crops were cultivated, but there were no vineyards. With the assistance of Piero Antinori amongst others, Alceo began making and bottling wines under the Rampollo label in 1975. Rampolla are now a reference point for the highest level of quality that does not fit into Chianti Classico or Brunello for Tuscany.

Other Reviews....
The 2019 Merlot Liu' is another outrageously beautiful wine from Rampolla. Deep, inky and explosive, the 2019 possesses tremendous energy to match its purity of fruit. Blueberry, spice, leather, menthol and espresso build into the potent, tannic finish. Readers will find a serious Merlot packed with fruit and structure. Rampolla planted Merlot in 2000 and 2003 to soften Sammarco, but the vines turned out to be more productive than expected, giving birth to the Liu'. The 2019 was aged in cement and terracotta. I am not entirely sure how the Liu' will mature, but I also doubt that will be much a concern for the vast majority of readers. Drink 2022 - 2034.
94 points
Antonio Galloni - Vinous

The Castello dei Rampolla 2019 Liù is a relatively new wine (the first vintage made was the 2018) and a pure expression of Merlot. The wine is generously endowed with lots of fruit flavor and a distinctive punchiness that adds a bright and lifted quality to the bouquet. It sports a mid-weight approach with plenty of summer fresh cherry, plum and other purple fruits. It's hard not to feel immediately attracted to this wine, especially given its very vivid and bright personality. You'll have a lot of fun drinking Liù straight out of the gate or likewise waiting for it to complete its bottle evolution. Drink 2022 - 2038.
94+ points
Monica Larner - Wine Advocate (Oct 2021)

Berries, cherries and violets with some black-olive and black-truffle notes. Very complex. Medium-to full-bodied with linear tannins that are polished and fine, running through the center palate. Tight at the end. Very pretty and racy,]. Merlot. Unfiltered. Drink after 2023.
93 points
James Suckling

I put my nose in it and thought ‘This isn’t Sangiovese”. It’s 100% Merlot, spending nove mesi in tini di cemento/anfore di terracotta. No oak.
Love this wine. Earth, new leather, black olives, blueberry and fresh blackberry, with a dried flower perfume above. Medium-bodied, thick with brushed suede tannin, plum and earth, and again that floral perfume wafting about. It has fairly fresh acidity, but it’s all about those terracotta tannins and slightly wild ‘natural’ feel. Finish is long with rugged grip. Such presence and character here.
95 points
Gary Walsh - The Wine Front