WINERY: Maeli is nestled in the Euganean Hills, a group of volcanic rolling, cone-shaped slopes that rise above the Padovan-Venetian plane. The variety of the land, the steepness of the hills, the varying exposition of the vineyards, and the peculiarities of the micro-climate motivate, winemaker, Elisa Dilavanzo, to continue to explore and research every aspect of winemaking in this unique land and ancient varietal.

WINE: The first vintage was in 2011, the same year Maeli started producing wines. Initially, D+ was a Bordeaux-style red wine intended to be sold the year after harvest. However, it was already impressive in terms of opulence, so it was decided to wait and allow it to refine. The winemaker was blamed for the delay, but he defended the wine, stating that it had the potential to become a masterpiece. The wine had intense color and aroma from extended maceration, marked acidity from grapes grown on the northern side of the Euganean Hills, strong minerality from volcanic soil, pleasant roundness from fermentation and aging in concrete and second passage barriques, well-integrated alcohol content, great persistence on the palate, and a distinctive bitter finish from the volcanic soils. The winemaker couldn’t have made a better wine and named it “D+” to signify “even better” rather than a school grade. This wine highlighted the high potential of the Euganean Hills for Bordeaux blends. The land not only excels in white grapes but also in red ones, which maintain freshness and elegance due to the white marl soils rich in calcium carbonate and the diverse plant species and woods surrounding the vineyards. Since the 2011 vintage, we have continuously strived to improve D+ each year.

Total destemming of the grapes, the whole-berry grapes are fermented in stainless steel tanks. Maceration on the skins for approximately 20-30 days, depending on the variety. Aged 24 months in old oak barrels and 12 months refining in the bottle.

Dark ruby red with violet highlights it presents a bouquet of dark fruit such as blueberries, cherries, and prunes with traces of the spices, cinnamon, cloves, coffee, and cocoa typical of aging in wood. On the palate, it is intense, consistent with a well-defined and silky undercurrent of tannins that balances out the softness of the wine which is full and concentrated yet at once fresh and full of flavor. Balanced and well-structured this wine is elegant and complex with a harmonious and enduring finale.