Bizjak – Rebula, 2017

There is a wine family I haven’t yet introduced, but I follow their story for at least ten years. I’m talking about the Bizjak family from Steske in lower Vipava Valley. They are known for producing expressive wines in both stainless and oak matured styles, and such is the case with this Rebula.

Hand-harvested grapes are coming from low-intervention nurtured vineyards. Two plots are dedicated to this wine, with vines counting fifteen and twenty years. Steeply sloped terraces face south exposures and are planted on layers of marl and sandstone, called by the locals Soudan.

Bunches are destemmed and crushed, the mash then macerates for fourteen days at controlled temperatures in open vats. After gentle pressing, the still fermenting must is transferred into barriques of French provenance and large, 500-litre acacia barrels, where it matures for two years. Fine lees are racked, and malolactic fermentation is executed. Finally, it is bottled with gross filtration and waits for at least six months before entering the market.

The result is a characterful Rebula that displays a glowing, golden colour and thick texture.

Its aroma is refined, with candied orange peel on the forehead. This is followed by apricot aroma, dried apple, pineapple slices and pear, marzipan, thyme. Then hints of oak and acacia wood, white pepper, liquorice, even curry spices, all underpinned by a mineral hint recalling Marlstone. An intricating wine that changes with each swirl of the glass.

The taste is soft, feels oily and alcohol is well integrated into it. Freshness and mineral salinity are balancing this softness, and we also detect some astringency of tannins. Freshness is nicely standing out and is well intertwined with the salty mineral aftertaste. A wine of elegance, charisma and structure, delivering a lasting experience and, besides all the sensations, adds a touch of toasted nuts to the flavour profile.

It is a wine that is enjoyable already now, but it can evolve in the following seven-plus years. A bottle will cost you approximately 12 Eur, and you can order it by sending an email to vinabizjak@siol.net, by calling 041850654 or at Faladur or Enotheque.

What better way of an introduction than showing some impressions of a winetasting with Metod Bizjak from their wine cellar.