It is time we return to the House of Pinot tonight, to the Tilia Estate and his unique and energetic vigneron Matjaž Lemut. But tonight’s post is about something else, about a wine that combines Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon into a characterful wine that is marked by maturation in oak.
Grapes are coming from two vineyards. First, the Merlot, which accounts for 70 % of this blend, is picked from the 10-years old vineyard of Plače breg that is planted at an altitude of 140 meters above sea level. The remaining 30 % consist of Cabernet Sauvignon from the 18 to 20 years old vineyard of Potoče and is planted at an altitude of 90 meters above sea level.
Grapes are hand-harvested at full ripeness. They are destemmed and crushed. The mash then undergoes two days of cold-maceration, followed by eight days of classical maceration with fermentation. Finally, after a gentle pressing, the wine is racked into barriques of Slavonian and French oak with approximately 10 % new ones, where it matures for 16 months. Conducting also controlled malolactic conversion.
Rubido boasts a deep, ruby red colour and a dense texture expressed by slowly slipping coloured tears.
Its aromas are intense. We regard black cherry, blueberry, black currant, a scent of violet and fern. The combination of butteriness and sweet spices reminds us of blueberry cake, and the finish offers us a hint of eucalyptus and black pepper.
The taste is intense, soft and warm. Freshness is youthful, while tannins act grippy, drying our mouth. A structured wine with an elegant and long-lasting taste.
It is a wine that will evolve for the next seven years, expressing its true nobleness, but is already a great expression now. A bottle will cost you between 18 and 20 Eur, and you can order it at Koželj, Zagriz, Solaris wines and Wine stoeckl.