Emeran Reya – Malvazija, 2018

Emeran Reya - Malvazija, 2018
Emeran Reya – Malvazija, 2018
Photo: Mihaela Majerhold – Ostrovršnik

Tonight we’re returning to the village of Kozana. This is where Edvard Reya crafts unique, characterful wines, often vested in the colours and flavours resulting from long skin-contact production. Today we’re looking at his Malvazija.

Now, the Reya family mentions are traced back to the year 1735, when the Austro Hungarian emperor appointed them with a noble title. They have been historically tied to Brda land, and especially the last three generations have been investing all their efforts into wine.

Edvard Reya, Edvard’s grandfather, produces in 1930 already 8.000 litres of wine. His son Emeran inherited this passion flourishing the estate’s reputation with his wife, Boža. Sadly, he passed away prematurely in 2006, and since then his son Edvard took over.

At the estate Reya, they focus on producing wine in coexistence with nature. They obtained organic certification in 2016. Vineyards are grassed, and you see wildlife running through them. Such is the case with this vineyard. Vines here count in between 35 and 70 years, half of it looking at the northwest, the other half at the southeast. Planted in Opoka at an altitude of 150 meters above sea level.

Grapes are handpicked when overripe. The mash undergoes a spontaneous 5-day fermentation at uncontrolled temperatures in open vats. After a gentle pressing, the wine is transferred in 300-litre used French oak barrels to mature for 10 months. With fine sediment and constant racking. It also undergoes full malolactic fermentation.

This results in a stunning, clear, golden yellow coloured malvazija.

Boasting a rich bouquet of honey, acacia, dried yellow fruit like apricot, mango, papaya, candied lemons, persimmon slices, wild mint, vanilla, a note of butter and dough, and finally marl.

The taste is soft, with a perceptible warmness, oily texture, expressed freshness and salty minerality. It feels balanced. Undoubtedly this is an intense tasting wine with a fuller body, lasting elegance and pleasant, slightly spicy finish.

This malvazija fully encompasses this grapes ability to produce impressive wines when picked overripe and macerated for an extensive time. A malvazija that will attract and seduce with its bouquet and alluring flavours.

If this style intrigued you, take a look at my notes of their Cabernet Franc, 2015.

Emeran Reya - Malvazija, 2018
Photo: Mihaela Majerhold – Ostrovršnik

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