Štoka – Izbrani teran, 2019

We’re returning to Karst today to the Štoka family to taste their selected Teran, or as written on the label Izbrani Teran. A deep-coloured red wine that spent a year of maturation in used oak vessels.

We could say that this is a predecessor of TeraSel, as grapes are coming from the same twenty-five years old grassed vineyard that is growing on Jerina – the typical red soil of Karst rich in iron and minerals. The only thing that differs is its production process.

Grapes of Refosco are hand-harvested, destemmed and crushed. After maceration at ambient temperatures, the mash is gently pressed and racked in large oak barrels where it matures for a year, entirely conducting malolactic conversion.

Izbrani Teran presents itself with a deep ruby red colour adorned with a purple tinge. The texture is dense.

Its bouquet is intense, fruity. We perceive overripe blackberries, cherries, blackberries, mulberries, aromas of sweet spices and butter recalling a delicious blueberry pie. Its finish presents black pepper, dry leaves and a note of graphite.

The taste is intense, elegant, soft, but also fresh and of round tannins. The alcohol is nicely incorporated into the structure and forms a refined, balanced taste of lasting persistency and vigorous structure.

A bottle will cost you approximately 10 Eur and you can get it at Mercator, Koželj, Vinoo.co, Be.Wines and Atlas wine merchants.