Wine

Cultus – Merlot, 2014

Cultus – Merlot, 2014
Photo: Mihaela Majerhold – Ostrovršnik

Let’s head back to Matej and Carolin tonight at the Cultus boutique winery, as I’m in the mood to open a rarity I was gifted this spring. It’s one of those improbable Merlot that gave good results even in the most challenging years as 2014 proved to be.

2014 was probably one of the wettest years I can recall. It was raining practically all the time. Hefty rain in the blooming season diluted blossoms, reducing the crop ultimately. And autumn managed to stay dry in some parts, also allowing the production of some rare gems.

Such is the case with this Merlot, which was harvested at the beginning of October. Grapes are coming from a single vineyard named Podzamalen planted in 2005 and is cultivated following organic methods.

Merlot bunches were destemmed and crushed, the pomace was then macerated with spontaneous fermentation for ten days, with temperatures not exceeding 30 ° Celsius. Finally, after a gentle pressing, the juice was racked into used French barriques, where it matured for two years. All this until today, when I managed to open a bottle.

This Merlot displays a ruby red colour with a slightly translucent bordar and has thick viscosity.

Its bouquet is accentuated, particularly of ripe fruit, where we notice plum jam, alcohol-soaked black cherries, chocolate, cloves, violet petals, cedar, eucalyptus and black pepper.

This wine shows accentuated softness that balances its freshness and tannic taste, with tannins giving a silky feel. An intense and elegant rendition of this noble variety, produced in a challenging year. Full-bodied with a reasonably persistent taste that reflects aromas of black fruit jam, vanilla and chocolate.

This wine is actually among those rare bottles a winemaker stores for himself to see how it evolved. Unfortunately, this means you’ll be lucky if Matej decides to open a bottle at your next visit to their wine cellar.

Photo: Mihaela Majerhold – Ostrovršnik
Valentin

Recent Posts

An evening with Petrus

From heaven to Earth and into space, From presidents to queens and into our glasses…

2 years ago

BioSing – taking salami and sausages to the next level, literally!

BioSing stands for Bio - Salami - Engineering and is the child of David Lesar,…

2 years ago

Faladur – a delightful stop

Faladur is one of the recent additions to Vipava’s culinary offerings. It was in March…

2 years ago

Reservoir dogs – Azza

Azza, 2019 - the “Wine side story” from one of the most renowned Slovenian breweries,…

2 years ago

Jovanov winery – Korčula

Jovanov winery was such a pleasant discovery. The setting - an inn with terraces overseeing…

2 years ago

Bjana – Giant, 2011

It's the 365th page of 2021, and what better way to close this year's chapter…

2 years ago