Today’s treat is Efekt, an intriguing red blend from the house Doppler. Coming from the Northern outskirts of Slovenia, this house is located on one of the most picturesque hilltops far around.

Their super modern, state of the art cellar is situated among the vineyards, at an altitude of 380 meters above sea level. Topping it, a modern inn where guest can enjoy in their wines while savouring local delicacies and enjoying the view. A real treat, especially in summer evenings …

Actually, they produce two kinds of Efekt wine, a red and rosé with the same grape composition – 50 % Zweigelt and 50 % modra frankinja (Blaufränkisch). Grapes for this one are coming from an extremely steep, 15-year-old vineyard planted in marl and facing to the south. Modra frankinja was picked October 8th, followed by Zweigelt the next day.

It then underwent two types of 30-day maceration. A spontaneous on natural yeast, and a controlled one with selected yeast at controlled temperatures. Prior to the final assemblage wines matured for 9 months in new barrique barrels on fine lees.

The result is a translucent, ruby red coloured wine with a dense texture.

The bouquet feels fresh, accentuated. We detect notes of capsicum in the foreground, fruit notes of cranberry, raspberry, cherry, and violet petals. Finishing with notes of cinnamon, fern, tobacco, forest undergrowth with a touch of smoke.

The taste is intense, feels youthful with perceiving warmness, pleasant freshness and tannic as tannins are still rounding up. Full-bodied, of medium-lasting persistency.

Overall it is an elegantly pleasant wine, which feels a bit spicy in the finish, but looking at the grape selection for this wine it shows great skills and mastery used in its production. It has the soul of a red wine coming from a cooler climate and I’m sure will please a wide range of drinkers.