Fornazarič – Rubino, 2017

Rubino, as is the colour of this wine, Rubino as the prized gem. This all just to symbolise tonight’s pick. We’re in lower Vipava Valley, near the Village of Vogrsko, looking at a complex rendition of a red blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon produced by the Fornazarič family, named Rubino.

Grapes are coming from terraced vineyards with south exposures. All are exclusively hand-harvested, Merlot end of September and Cabernet Sauvignon at the beginning of October. Merlot macerated for three weeks, while Cabernet Sauvignon for two. The mash is gently pressed, and wines undergo a two-year maturation in used barriques.

The twist is when we start speaking of the third component in this wine. A sweet wine, produced from the same grapes, but left to dry out, produced with a more than a month-long maceration.

Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are assembled in a ratio of 80 – 20 % after two years and have to wait for another year in stainless vats patiently. Finally, the sweet wine is added to the blend and bottled without filtration.

Rubino reveals to us with a deep ruby red colour, with a slight translucent tip. The texture is dense, almost oily. Twisting it in the glass leaves stains, and slow slipping ruby coloured tears.

Its bouquet evokes aromas of strawberry jam, cranberries, black cherries, sour cherries and even plums. We also find hints of cocoa, carob, herbs, leather and tobacco.

The taste is off-dry, at the same time warm and soft. Freshness, velvety tannins and minerality help balance the taste. Rubino shows a vigorous body, with intensity and lasting persistency resulting in an elegant taste.

An outstanding wine of structure that will continue to evolve and hone its elegance for the next five to seven years. A bottle will cost you approximately 20 Eur, and you can get it at Koželj, Vinoteka Sodček, Enotheque, TuamV, Green papa, Zagriz and Fina Slovina.