Tuscany, Italy
With a history dating back to the 9th century AD, the Castello di Bossi estate has evolved with the times. A dynamic team leads the estate and never shies from technological innovation, while remaining true to the terroir of Chianti.
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Castello di Bossi Girolamo
| SKU | 44990 |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Tuscany |
| Type | Red |
| Varietal | Merlot |
| Listing | Speculative |
| Case Config. | 6x750ml |
| Available In | BC |
Colour
Deep ruby red in colour with purple highlights.
Aroma
Black raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, sweet spice, and vanilla with hints of chocolate and dried herbs.
Flavour
Soft and silky texture, backed by a sweet, firm tannins ending with a long, fruit-laden finish.
Food Pairing
Rosemary pork roast with berry port wine sauce.
More Info
Named for the oldest vineyard of Merlot, planted in Bossi 42 years ago, the muscular Girolamo is made entirely from Merlot grapes. After the harvest, the grapes are crushed and fermented in stainless steel for extra smoothness and complexity. Girolamo is then aged in Allier barriques for approximately two years, to achieve an elegant combination of fruitiness, softened tannins, and body.
Antonio Galloni's Vinous, June/2024
2021 -
"The 2021 Girolamo (100% Merlot) offers tons of varietal character, delivered with a strong Tuscan accent. Dried herbs, mocha, lavender and licorice play off a core of blue/purplish fruit in this savory, beautifully structured Merlot from proprietor Marco Bacci."
James Suckling, Jul/2023
2020 -
"Aromas of spearmint, sage and mint with berries. Full-bodied and chewy with plenty of fruit and oak at the same time. This needs three or four years to come together. From organically grown grapes. Try after 2027."
Antonio Galloni's Vinous, Jun/2023
2020 -
"The 2020 Girolamo is a powerful, dense wine. Blue/purplish fruit, espresso, grilled herbs and licorice abound. This is an especially Tuscan Merlot, one with a great deal of structure and plenty of savory nuance to distinguish it."
Wine Enthusiast, Mar/2024
2020 -
"The nose is sanguine and metallic, with notes of soil and pepper, but a brisk blast of blueberries and cherries provides balance. That fruit leads off the palate, before a current of dark chocolate washes out into a resurgentally peppery finish. Acid bounces around rigid, angular tannins."
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Sep/2023
2020 -
"Made with organic Merlot from a vineyard site with gray clay that this varietal loves, the Castello di Bossi 2020 Girolamo shows sweet, ripe fruit with cherry confit, blackberry preserve, cinnamon and sweet spice. The wine offers a relatable hot-vintage interpretation of Merlot with lots of accessible softness and thick fruit layering. Sweet oak turns to dark spice and campfire ash with time." - Monica Larner
James Suckling, Jul/2022
2019 -
"Lots of black-olive and dark-plum aromas with some walnuts. Graphite, too. Full-bodied with round, juicy tannins and a savory finish. Merlot. Unfiltered. Give it two or three years to soften. Try after 2025."
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Feb/2023
2019 -
"Chianti Classico is one of the great territories for Italian Merlot, and the area is so far withstanding the pressure being put onto this early-ripening grape due to climate change. The Castello di Bossi 2019 Girolamo is fleshed out and generous with dark blackberry and cherry confit, sweet spice, gentle tannins and a full-bodied texture. This vintage offers more concentration and richness overall."
Antonio Galloni's Vinous, Jul/2022
2019 -
"The 2019 Girolamo, 100% Merlot, is juicy and super-expressive right out of the gate. Succulent dark cherry, plum, mocha, licorice, sweet spice and leather are all pushed forward. There's a good bit of Castelnuovo Berardenga savoriness to balance out the wine's natural richness. This is nicely done."
James Suckling, Oct/2021
2018 -
"Firm and racy merlot with fine tannins that are polished and pretty. Medium body. Lovely walnut undertones to the dark fruit. Some chocolate, too. Give it a year or two to soften. Try after 2023."
Antonio Galloni's Vinous, Sep/2021
2018 -
"The 2018 Girolamo, 100% Merlot, speaks with a decidedly Tuscan accent. Dried herbs, cedar, scorched earth and leather add aromatic dimension to the rich, dark Merlot fruit. Potent and lush, Girolamo is another strong wine in this range from Castello di Bossi."
James Suckling, Nov/2019
2016 -
"A plush red with melted tannins that give the wine richness and brightness with chocolate, berry and hazelnut character. Full body. Rich and gorgeous. Pure merlot. Will be even better after a year or two. But gorgeous."
Antonio Galloni's Vinous, Aug/2020
2016 -
"The 2016 Girolamo, 100% Merlot, is one of the most sensual, elegant wines I have ever tasted from Castello di Bossi. Freshly cut flowers, mint, spice, leather and tobacco all grace an exquisitely elegant, perfumed wine that hits all the right notes. Merlot has rarely, if ever, been this refined in Tuscany. In a word: superb."
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Apr/2021
2016 -
"A pure expression of Merlot, the Castello di Bossi 2016 Girolamo strikes balanced ripeness with an emphasis on both fruitiness and freshness. The fruit side is quite enhanced in this classic vintage with dark cherry, plum and blackberry preserves. Red and purple berries cede to spice, tar, smoke and a touch of bittersweet chocolate. Ultimately, the wine appears tight, tonic and fresh, imparting generous texture and weight with no residual heaviness. This 2016 vintage should continue aging nicely in the bottle."
Antonio Galloni’s Vinous, Jan/2018
2013 -
"A wine of distinction and personality, the 2013 Girolamo (Merlot) is also the most impressive wine in this range. A rush of black cherry, lavender, tobacco, licorice and savory herbs fills out the wine’s huge, structured frame. There is quite a bit of creaminess and textural depth, but a few more years in bottle will only help, as the tannins are quite forbidding at this stage."
Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, Oct/2015
2011 -
"This is a first rate Merlot from Tuscany. The 2011 Girolamo is soft, yielding, pleasurable and extremely plump. The texture is outstanding as the wine glides clear over the palate like a silk sheet. It is persuasive, enduring and long lasting. Aromas of dark cherry, cinnamon spice and chocolate stands to attention and the wine continues to evolve and gain momentum as it warms in the glass. This is a truly beautiful effort that offers immense drinking joy. It should also hold well over the coming decade. But you might not be able to wait that long."
Antonio Galloni's Vinous, Sep/14
2010 -
"A drop-dead gorgeous beauty, the 2010 Merlot Girolamo impresses for its voluptuous, layered personality. Iron, smoke and leather add distinct elements of Sangiovese-infused aromas and flavours. The combination of Merlot generosity plus structure of the year and appellation is incredibly appealing. The 2010 impresses for the sheer integrity and purity of its fruit. Sweet floral and spiced notes add complexity on the finish. This is another superb wine from Castello di Bossi."