Zanut – Zakaj, 2016

We’re staying in Brda tonight to look at an expression of Sauvignon vert, which landed many playful names. This one is called Zakaj, or as it would be literally translated into English – Why. A play of characters only reflects the ban of using the name of the grape variety – Furlanski Tokaj on the wine. Naming apart, let’s have a look at Zanut‘s rendition of this classically produced wine.

Grapes are hand-harvested when very ripe. After destemming and crushing the pomace macerated at cold temperatures for one day, it was then gently pressed and racked with fine lees into large stainless vats to ferment and mature at temperatures around 17 ° Celsius for approximately nine months. Batonnage was carried out regularly. Finally, the wine was bottled, and after two years of bottle ageing, it came to the market.

Zakaj boasts a golden yellow, crystal clear colour and dense texture.

The nose is intense and fine. We notice an Overripe apple, carambola, candied lemon, hints of yellow grapefruit and tangerine jam, with scents of dried chamomile, basil, straw, honey, vanilla, and flint.

Its palate is dry, soft and warm. Its freshness is ripe, with a distinctive mineral character, a wine of balance. Intense in taste, full-bodied with lasting persistency and elegance. Zakaj is slowly coming to its peak, but will persist there for a long time.

A wine which many have spoken of. In 2019 Jancis Robinson mentioned it in its contribution to the Financial Times 26 festive wines. There are many different vintages available on the market, and a bottle will cost you from 11 to 15 Eur. You can find it at Be wines, 13vol, Wevino, Delivery wine UK, Vino veritas and The Salusbury wine store.