Ražman – Malvazija Petrea, 2018

We are moving to the sunny slopes of Slovenian Istria, where my dear friends & colleague sommeliers Rok, Nik and the whole family Ražman looks after vineyards, olive trees and pamper guests at their inn. I’ve chosen to present you with their Malvazija Petrea.

Petrea is named after the plot Popetre, where this 38 years old vineyard is planted. It’s treated according to integrated and KOPOP principles. We are at an altitude of 350 meters above sea level on the ridge of the hill facing south, south-west. The soil is flysch.

Grapes were handpicked, destemmed and gently crushed. Active yeast was added to the mash prepared from mature grapes that Rok picked a week before the actual harvest. It then macerated for 2 days in open vats at 30-35 ° Celsius. It was then gently pressed and moved in used 500-litre oak barrels with fine lees, where it fermented further at 20 – 25 ° Celsius, also conducting malolactic fermentation. After maturing for 12 months, it was assembled and left to rest for 10 months in stainless tanks. It was then bottled, without filtering.

This malvazija has a glowing, golden yellow colour with a slight amber hue. Swirling reveals a wine of denser texture.

Its aromas are intense, reminiscing ripe apricots, yellow apple, pineapple, acacia honey, white pepper, anise, vanilla and nutmeg.

The taste is intense. The mouthfeel is soft. It leaves a distinct mineral sensation, followed by a pleasant acidity refreshing us intertwining with its soft, alcoholic character. It ends with a lovely, slightly tannic spice that prolongs the persistency.

A harmonious malvazija, which nicely encompasses its provenance and vinification style. It shows a complex structure that will enchant drinkers into a swirl of intense perceptions.

You can drink it now, but it will evolve in the following years, it will show its best looks between 2023 and 2025. My Slovenian friends can order the wine straight at Ražman family. They deliver wine periodically to Ljubljana.