The Fumin ‘Vigne Merletta’ offers a lithe and regal insight in to this rarely seen indigenous alpine varietal, and with a few years already under its belt. Hailing from one of the Grosjean’s high-altitude cru sites, the Vigne Merletta is immediately redolent of its moniker’s heritage - Fumin is derived from the term fumo (smoke) as the resulting wines often show a definitively smokey edge. Dark, dense and will black cherry, blackcurrant and blackberry dominate the fruit, winding tightly around many a telltale savory element - cured meat, campfire, black strap molasses, tar and char. Though more brooding and brimstone heavy on the nose, the mouth sees a wonderful lift of alpine acidity, and while the wine leans to the fuller side of medium, the mouth never lacks for high altitude precision and freshness, with feathery tannins and brighter, fresher fruit notes. Fans of the northern Rhone will find a lot to love here!