Today we are, moving on to Vipava valley, to one of the most prominent wine cellars situated on steep slopes above the valley in the village of Planina. Guerila is a lifestyle, is a result of Zmago Petrič’s aspirations, ideas and stubbornness. And this Retro Selection, a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Barbera, is the perfect choice.

Guerila has developed into a fundamental institution since its conception in 2005. They are avid believers in biodynamic farming and nurture deep respect to the tradition and the methods used by Zmago’s ancestors. Zmago, whose childhood memories take him back to times when he helped his father at their small farm, the vineyard and their cellar. It brings him feelings of humility, sincerity, responsibility, respect and love for the earth, nature and the surroundings. These are the values that he now passes on to his family and friends.

Some of the best plots are now constituting Guerila’s universe, a selection of plots that Zmago meticulously selected when conceiving Guerila’s microcosmos. Every bunch is hand-harvested with attention and transported to the modern wine cellar, where the process of vinification starts. Such is the story with grapes that make this Retro red. Bunches are coming from two plots; Preske at an altitude of approximately 362 meters above sea level, facing southwest, and the other named Zavrh, which lays about 30 meters lower with southwest aspect. Vines are aged between ten and fourteen years.

Very ripe bunches were hand-harvested simultaneously. Following destemming and crushing, mash macerated for four weeks, with spontaneous fermentation and malolactic conversion. With gentle pressing, the young wine went into traditional, large and used oak vessels where it matured for two years. It was finally bottled without filtration, with minimum addition of sulphur following the biodynamic calendar.

This Retro red displays a deep ruby red colour with a purple tinge and dense texture.

The bouquet is intense, alluring. Starting with incense notes, chocolate to then slowly open to hints of ripe blackberries, marasca, chokeberry, dried red flowers, liquorice, eucalyptus, and ultimately hints of a pencil tip.

The taste is intense, virtuous, with perceptible softness but the crisp freshness and grippy tannins. The body is vigorous, muscular with pronounced elegance and lasting persistency.

A real knight presented in the form of this extractive yet youthful wine will steadily evolve in royalty with bottle ageing. I’d store it and taste it again no sooner than seven years, but it will give immense pleasures already now. A bottle will cost you less than 20 Eur and for this price is a real bargain. You can get it at Koželj, Faladur, Vinoo.co and TuamV. But you will also find it at Roi des rois!, Coenecoop and Sloveense wijnen.