Štokelj – Planta white, 2018

We’re moving atop of Vipava valley tonight and making a stop at the Štokelj family. A family that became a synonym for crafting high quality, characterful wines. Tonight, we’ll look at their Planta white. A blend of chardonnay and rebula that matured in oak barrels.

Grapes come from a vineyard that lays at south-facing slopes at an approximate altitude of 320 meters above sea level. The vineyard counts for approximately thirty years and is planted in flysch. The production following hand-harvesting consisted of cooling grapes to 5 ° Celsius overnight, after destemming and crushing the mash macerated with fermentation at controlled temperatures around 17 ° Celsius in stainless vats. Finally, it was racked with fine lees in barriques, half of it new and half used, where it matured for nine months before bottling.

This resulted in a wine with brilliant, golden yellow colour and dense texture.

Planta’s bouquet is inviting, sophisticated. First, we perceive ripe apple, papaya, and pineapple followed by perceptions of roasted nuts, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, and dried Mediterranean herbs.

Its taste is majestic, intense, dry and soft, but at the same time with a good dose of crisp freshness and minerality. We also notice some astringency. Its body is vigorous, and the taste is persistently elegant. A characterful wine that sophisticatedly combines tradition and internationality!

This wine can be served now, but it will be even better in seven or more years. A bottle will cost you between 17 and 19 Eur and you can order it at Vinoteka Sodček, Vino.ba, Fine Slovenian wine, and Faladur.