Rokovi vinogradi – Chardonnay Premium, 2019

What better way to look at cyclists passing through the slopes of Brda, the village of Biljana and writing about a wine produced right there … Rokovi vinogradi’s Chardonnay is a refined expression of this barrique matured variety.

Actually, Rokovi vinogradi was a revelation to me. Primož Bajt contacted me once asking if I could try the wines he very much liked, so: “Yeah, of course!” I said. Shortly after, Andrej Sirk contacted me, and quickly, we were speaking of his wines.

Rokovi vinogradi (Rokovi vineyards) is the fruit of Andrej and Simon Sirk, two youngsters coming from a family with a winemaking tradition. They produce Malvasia, Cabernet Sauvignon and this expression of Chardonnay from vineyards around the slopes of the village Biljana.

Grapes were hand-harvested in two vineyards, one on the top of the hills and the other in its vicinity planted in Opoka and a part mixing with clay on south-west facing slopes. Vines count for thirty-five years.

Following destemming and crushing the mash macerated and fermented at controlled temperatures. After gentle pressing it was racked with lees in a combination of French and American oak where it matured and conducted also malolacitc fermentation.

This results in a crystal clear Chardonnay with golden yellow colour and dense texture.

Its bouquet is intense, we recognize yellow apple, pineapple, gooseberry, lemon peel, jasmine flower, marzipan, butter, vanilla, a gentle note of roasted hazelnuts.

The taste is fairly soft, with oily texture. Freshnes and mineral saltiness spike and leave a lasting aftertaste in which flavours of ripe yellow fruit and butteriness resonate. A wine of structure and persistency that will evolve in the following three to five years, but you can taste it already now.

A bottle will cost you 10 Eur and you can order it by sending an email to info@rokovi-vinogradi.com or by calling the number +386 40 464 828.

We had this Chardonnay served with Spiny lobster with almond mousse and crumble, garlic-infused ring and fried asparagus tips ad Divina’s restaurant yesterday.