We’re returning to the Bordon family tonight, as we have a Refošk (Refosco) that surely deserves all of the attention. Produced only in the best years with seven years maturation in large oak barrels producing a noble, black royalty.

The year 2009 started challenging for Bordon, as a hailstorm hit the vineyard Zaravne, thus lowering yields below half a kilogram per vine. Onward though, the conditions were perfect as Zaravne faces towards the sea and are constantly aerated. All this allowed for equal and full phenolic ripening of berries.

The production followed destemming, crushing of berries and a there week maceration with fermentation. After a gentle pressing, the juice was racked to mature in large 2,300-litre oak barrels for as long as seven years, also conducting malolactic fermentation during this time.

Ivanov Refošk is a wine of opaque and deep, ruby red, almost black with an oily texture. We observe slowly slipping coloured tears.

The bouquet is impressive. We detect dried wild strawberries, including chokeberry, mulberry, coffee, menthol, chocolate, black pepper, liqueur notes of candied, cedar and light smoke.

A wine of softness where alcohols don’t stand out. At the same time, it gives a good measure of freshness and grippy tannins of velvety texture. The wine is vigorous, elegant and intense with a very persistent aftertaste.

A majestic rendition of this variety that incredibly copes with time. It has the potential to be stored easily for the next 10 to 15 years. A bottle will cost you approximately 30 Eur, and you can get it at Okusi Istre, Zelena Istra and Vinisfera.