Tonight we’re returning to the slopes around Apače, where the Steyer family has been crafting some really amazing expressions of wines. They are famed through the World for the Gewürztraminer but wait to try their Cuvée red! A rich blend of Pinot noir and Zweigelt matured in oak barrels.

Grapes were hand-harvested in wooden crates and transported to the cellar. After destemming and crushing, the mash macerated for two weeks. Finally, the young wine was left to mature in a combination of used and new oak barrels before finally being bottled and introduced to the market. As you may have noticed, the vintage is 2015, so we’re speaking of extensive times of oak and bottle ageing.

Steyer Mark Cuvee red shows a ruby red colour with a slight garnet rim. It makes thick tears that slowly flow down the walls of the glass.

The bouquet is alluring, fruit in forehand, underpinned by flowers and sweet spices. We notice black cherry, plum, raisins, cherries soaked in alcohol, hints of cocoa, coffee, cloves, caramel, cinnamon with a slight smokiness. Roses and violets are also found, and a note of incense.

A dry wine of pronounced softness and rather perceivable warmness. Mineral with nicely rounded tannins nicely balancing the taste. An elegant, full-bodied red blend of surprisingly lasting persistency. Even the aftertaste is fruity and deep. We detect slight notes of black pepper and ripe plum, well supported by sweet spices and smoke.

Quite a rarity to find, but it works surprisingly well. It has the potential to age for the next three to five years, and it will only improve. A bottle will cost you approximately 21,50 Eur, and you can get it at eVino, Koželj and Jezeršek.