Zanut – Merlot, 2016

We’re stopping at the Kocjančič family tonight. They live in the village of Neblo and release wines under the Zanut brand. Tonight we’ll taste their Merlot. A wine that has been produced classically, with maturation in stainless vats, but shows what long bottle ageing can do.

Grapes have been hand-harvested at full ripeness, with some berries already shrivelled after destemming and crushing the mash macerated at temperatures lower than 28 ° Celsius for three weeks. Finally, it was gently pressed and left to mature in stainless vats for ten months before bottling. After a good four years, almost five after the harvest, the wine made it into my glass.

Zanut’s Merlot presents with a deep ruby red colour and thick viscosity.

Its intense bouquet reveals scents of roasted cherries and plums, hints of dried hibiscus flower that are joined by notes of leather and dried tobacco.

Its taste is dry, soft, and quite warm. Its freshness is ripe and shows a mineral undertone with rounded tannins that bring its taste in balance. A full-bodied wine of a pretty persistent taste. It has reached its peak, but it will stay here for a while. The aftertaste shows flavours of overripe fruit with an almost smoky touch and hints of dried tobacco leaf.

A bottle will cost you approximately 11 Eur, and you can currently order it at Bewines.