Santomas – Refošk Antonius, 2015

What a royalty we’re sipping tonight! A true king from Istria, embedded by its intense red label, echoing Anton’s, the 2nd generation representative of the family Glavina, born in 1883, fiery character. We’re having a look at Refošk Antonius.

Santomas estate is situated on top of the village Šmarje. Thanks to their efforts, they have become a true institution in producing high quality, world-class wines of a distinct and decisive character. Nothing is left to chances here, as they implore state of the art production line with the experience and knowledge transferred from their ancestors and ennobled with the knowledge of oenologists.

Such is the case with this champion, produced with grapes coming from the lieu-dit Sergasi. Vines count for an average age of 50 years and are sustainably maintained. They grow at an altitude of 200 meters above sea level, planted on a combination of flysch, marl and sandy loam.

Harvest is done exclusively by hand and cooled during the evening. Berries are sifted at the sorting table, without mashing. They are left to ferment in wooden vinificators at temperatures between 25 – 30 ° Celsius for 3 weeks. After a gentle pressing, it lays for few months on lees conducting malolactic fermentation and is then left to mature for 24 months in new 350-litre French oak barrels.

It boasts with a deep ruby red colour, with a purple tip. It’s thick and dense, and it stains the glass when rolling it in.

The bouquet is intense; we perceive overripe wild berries, dried chokeberries, cherries, black currants, red pepper, and dried red flowers. It continues with fern, hummus, cedar, dry Mediterranean herbs and a light touch of smoke.

A wine with a soft taste accentuated freshness and tannins that are slowly rounding off. The taste is intense, displaying a muscular body with long persistency. The elegance is accentuated in this wine, displaying the royalty that Refošk hides in itself and what it can achieve. Outstanding!