Marjan Simcic Ribolla Opoka 'Medana Jama' Cru 2019

Marjan “was key to the success of the Goriška Brda region” when, at the age of 20, he took over the family winery that had been in operation since 1860 and “changed the profile of the region and elevated it to the top nationally and internationally”, according to Decanter magazine. Brda has the privilege of a fantastic terroir, where the Alps meet the Mediterranean, with soils of limestone marl flysch, the famous Opoka. Marjan is a force of nature, and with organically grown grapes, he creates wines of immense authenticity and minerality, absolutely unmissable for terroir explorers.

Wine:
Ribolla from the Medana Jama terroir in Brda, Slovenia. The vines are 67 years old, at 250 meters and facing north. Opoka marl and limestone make up the myriad of soils. Fermentation with 16 days of maceration in 1,000-liter concrete vats. Indigenous yeasts. Aged for 24 months, 10 of which in concrete vats and 12 months in 500-liter barrels.

Rating: 18+ Jancis Robinson
"There's amazing aromatic expression of orange blossom, spice, wild herbs and peach fruit. The palate is intense and sapid, very pure and bright. Ripe peach notes, orange zest and spice are underscored by a mineral core and superfine tannins. (CG)"