Photo: Mihaela Majerhold – Ostorvršnik
Time to head to Brda to taste the latest edition of a marvellously produced Rebula, marked by extensive maceration and ageing in large oak barrels produced by Marjan Simčič.
Grapes have been hand-harvested at vineyards Medana, Jama and Jordano aged between 54 and 58 years that are positioned at altitudes between 200 and 250 meters above sea level, planted in Brda’s Opoka facing north to east.
I’ve been lucky to step in the vineyards with Marjan, which is an experience every wine geek should do. The vineyard plotting and management there is impressive. You see the determination and how clearly the direction has also been set at Marjan’s newest Rebula vineyard planted just below the Jordano cru.
For this expression of Rebula, whole berries fermented in 4.000-litre (tino) barrels of conical shape. The mash was then gently pressed with a pneumatic press, and the wine was racked to mature in these tinos for 18 months on fine lees. Finally, it was bottled without fining and filtration. Bottles waited patiently at least four months in the cellar before entering the market.
This care results in a Rebula of a deep, golden yellow colour with dense texture.
Its sophisticated, accentuated aromas reveal orange peel, candied lemon zest, ripe yellow fruit like apple and apricot, yellow rose, almond, white pepper, oregano, thyme, vanilla, sweet root and scents of sun-warmed marlstone.
A dry wine with softness and nicely integrated alcohols. Crisp freshness refreshes our palate and leaves a salty mineral touch with slightly detecting tannins. A wine of expressed elegance, full-bodied with a lasting aftertaste in which herbal notes, sweet spices, and ripe fruit express.
It is a wine that shows excellent elegance now, but it will last and further evolve for at least the next ten years. A bottle will cost you approximately 20 Eur, and you can order it on their website, eVino, Tannico, Call me wine, Aperitif.no, WoodWinters, Enotic, Camilletti, Compravini and Le cantine di secondo.
