Belica – Izbrano rdeče, 2015

Today feels a little nostalgic … My memories are taking me back to the picturesque Brda, a district I certainly miss in these days. But this picture recalls a special place at the top of Medana village. There, the Mavrič family cuddles their guests in their Belica homestead, which is where today’s wine has been produced. We’re having a closer look at their red cuvée Izbrano rdeče (selected red).

This wine is produced with clusters coming from a special vineyard, so steep even hens needed breaks while descending – hence the name “Kokošji žlajf (literally translated into “Hens’ break”).

It’s a 25-years old vineyard planted on Opoka, where Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot noir are planted together and are handpicked when overripe.

Grapes are destemmed and crushed, followed by an up to 10-day long maceration. It is first transferred to a large inox vat to stabilize for 9 months. Then it matures for up to 18 months in large 1.100-litre oak barrels.

After the final assemblage, it waits for a couple of months in inox vats, followed by 6 months of bottle-ageing before seeing the light of day. Now the blend is composed by a predominance of Merlot, with approximately a third of Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest of Pinot noir.

It has a medium to deep, ruby red colour, with thick density.

The bouquet is seductive, evoking ripe black currants, blueberries, sour-cherry, violet, eucalyptus, nutmeg, cinnamon, forest undergrowth and a slightly smoky finish.

The taste is rounded, royal. Its softness is in harmony with its fresh and tannic profile. It has an intense, noble taste with a vigorous body. A wine for which we could say is about to reach its peak and plans to stay there for many years to come.