The Roma DOC is in the Lazio region, which surrounds Italy's capital. The DOC was established in 2011, but winemaking in the area goes back to around 800 B.C., so they really know what they are doing with the grapes. It's natural to find Roma wines scoring great popularity with the citizenry.
Felice Mergè carries a century of winemaking with him as the owner and enologist for Poggio Le Volpi. His father, Armando, and his grandfather, Manlio, set the scene before him. The grapes grow in soil of volcanic origin, loaded with minerals.
The 2017 Limited Edition of Roma DOC Poggio Le Volpi was made from three grape varieties - 60% Montepulciano, 20% Syrah and 20% Cesanese. The grapes were grown in the same vineyards as the regular vintage Roma, but the winery says only the best bunches contribute to this wine. It was fermented in steel tanks and aged for a year or so in oak barriques. Alcohol sits at 14% abv and the retail price averages around $19.
This is an extremely dark wine, inky black, and it smells of black plums, blackberries and black cherries. The palate shows a terrific display of said fruit with a savory blanket of spice and licorice thrown over it. The tannins are a bit tame, but that fault does make for an extremely sippable wine. It will pair nicely with pork or tomato-based dishes.
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