Today’s choice is a Pinot noir I’ve been following now close to a decennium. We’re moving to Brda’s village of Kozana, where the Prinčič family produces a wide range of wines. Including tonight’s wine, which constantly delivers.

Vines for this wine were planted in 1990 at an altitude of 58 meters above sea level and face the south aspect. The vineyard’s name is Carstic terrace, interesting enough as it is planted on Brda’s Opoka soil.

Grapes were hand-harvested in the first days of September. After destemming and crushing them, the mesh fermented with careful cape management for 30 days. After a gentle pressing, the young wine matured for six months in 500-litre oak barrels. After a long time of bottle ageing, it has finally made its way to my table.

This Pinot noir displays a ruby ​​red colour with a slight garnet hue and dense texture. The bouquet is intense, seductive. We detect prunes, mulberries, dried roses and notes of smoke. Swirling further the glass, it reveals hints of vanilla, cinnamon, forest undergrowth, and black pepper, with notes of leather and chocolate in the finish.

The mouthfeel is soft, reasonably warm, with vibrant freshness and tasty minerality. The tannins are pronounced and slowly rounding up. We have a refined and elegant exemplar of a Pinot noir, boasting an intense and lasting taste, with just the right amount of wood to gently lift the variety’s nobleness.

This Pinot noir has proven as the right choice many times, and for the between 8,50 and 10,50 Eur, it should make it onto the tables of many. You can order it at Koželj or the Sodček enotheque. And don’t worry, you can keep the bottle safely stored for at least the next five years.