Master Selection, Akluj Merlot

M/S is a joint venture between Piero Masi, a Tuscan winemaker who previously worked at Isole e Olena, and the late wine writer, producer, and innovator Steven Spurrier, who founded the Wine Society of India during one of his frequent visits. They met through Kapil and Gaurav Sekhri, whose winery owns around 95 hectares of vineyards, planted over three sites, in Akluj (Mahārāshtra), on the right bank of the Nira River about 170 kilometres south of Pune. The climate here is subtropical, yet the elevation of 650 metres gives cool nights to ensure the grapes retain their freshness.

After the passing of Kapil Sekhri in October 2020 and Steven Spurrier in March 2021, the Sekhri family continues to strengthen the partnership with Piero Masi and continues Steven’s commitment to fresh, vibrant, unoaked, and balanced wines.

The white blends 90% Chardonnay and 10% Sauvignon Blanc from two vineyards nearly 550 metres above sea level. All the grapes are hand-picked and the wine is fermented in stainless steel at 18 - 20˚C to retain the aromas acquired during ripening at high elevations. The rosé, made solely from Sangiovese (Piero’s speciality), is pale, fresh and zingy, while the red blends 60% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Franc and 20% Shiraz to create a soft, ripe expression with excellent balance. It is fermented in stainless steel for about two weeks at 25°C to extract colour and ripe tannins. The Merlot is made similarly, resulting in a supple mouthfeel and rich palate.

The vineyards were planted in 2008 with cuttings imported from Europe by Piero and are the key to the success of these wines. The soils are poor, which reduces vigour, and do not contain clay, a key factor in managing disease pressure in a subtropical climate. Yields are half what most people achieve in India, which means the grapes ripen properly before the monsoons arrive. The resulting wines have lovely purity and lift, standing shoulder to shoulder with their European counterparts.