Simon J Woolf
There’s a nice aromatic quality to the nose, with green plum and a hint of jasmine. Full of herb-tinged orchard fruits, green apple, citrus, yellow plum and more. It’s a ripe style but with loads of freshness and acidity, and quite soft, fine tannins. The finish has a pleasing bitterness that adds freshness. Another year
Simon J Woolf
Jo Ahearne is a British MW who’s been making wine on the island of Hvar for almost a decade. To make this orange, she ferments different parcels and grape varieties with skin contact between 10 – 350 days! The end result is soft and creamy textured, with a fascinating and exotic fruit character that suggests
Simon J Woolf
Named after Jo’s father, whose elegance she says matches this wine. Although it lacks some freshness on the nose, the palate of this co-fermented red/white blend still feels pretty lively. Plavac’s leathery, pruney fruit dominates the flavour profile. There’s loads of ripe red berry, with a hint of caramel and citrus. Rather robust and structured
Simon J Woolf
Take two fairly broad, low acid grape varieties – Grenache Blanc and Rousanne, and it could be too much of a good thing. But here there is a nice sensation of freshness that balances the nutty, herby palate and big boned texture. For such a young wine, there is plenty of depth and expression too.
Simon J Woolf
Typically on-point for this tiny winery in Sempas (Vipava valley). This is a lighter style with just three days of skin contact. Very herbaceous and citrussy on the nose, with some green plum and candied fruits. Attractive flavours of wild berries and bitter herb. Tight but with really great potential and very fresh and lively
Simon J Woolf
Skin fermented in conical oak fermenters, before long lees ageing and bottling unfiltered and unfined. Fairly shy on the nose, but with some charming and telltale aromas of sage and citrus. Exciting acidity and wonderful crisp apricot fruit on the palate. Tight and fresh, with quite assertive tannins but everything here is in balance. Refined
Simon J Woolf
Kristina Mervic is one of those rare winemakers who holds her wines back from release until they’re really ready and showing their full character. She gets huge respect from me for that. Rebula is always pretty structured. But Kristinas’s reading is typical of Slovenia’s Vipava Valley. A slightly lighter, more open texture than some of
Simon J Woolf
Green pepper and laurel on the nose – enticing and really typical aromas for this lovely grape variety. Silken fruit with ripe red berry compote and a subtle mocha hint. Great acidity and silky tannins. Elegant and refreshing, with a hint of bitterness on the finish that feels like it will disappear with more bottle
Simon J Woolf
A bit strung out on the nose, with a slightly gluey, wild berry note. What’s nice about this is the bright acids and fine tannins. The alcohol sticks out a bit, and overall there’s a lack of harmony about the wine. Five days skin contact.
Simon J Woolf
Dark and spicy, with Zwiegelt showing a bit of strawberry and balsamic character. The tannins feel a bit woody and unbalance the wine somewhat. Very drying, with the alcohol also dominating on the finish. Uncharming