Marjan Simcic Chardonnay Cru Selection 2023

Drink it now or cellar for up to 20 years. No need to decant, but best to open it half an hour before service. Widely regarded as one of the most prestigious wineries in Slovenia, Marjan Simčič is a family business located in the Brda wine region, with vineyards distributed in both the Italian and Slovenian Collio. The company, founded in 1860, grows its grapes according to organic standards and produces single-varietal wines using traditional winemaking techniques. The Chardonnay grapes selected for this wine are harvested by hand from Medana Jama cru in Plešivo. Here the vines, aged between 38 and 48 years, rest on soils composed of marl, slate, and sandstone (Opoka), at an altitude of approximately 150 - 250 meters. Fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts and in contact with the skins in large oak barrels. The wine then rests for 18 months in oak barrels and a further 2 months in the bottle. This Chardonnay has a golden color and a harmonious and fragrant bouquet of ripe fruit and candied peel. On the palate, it is juicy and concentrated, fruity and lean with a creamy touch and a marked acidity that makes it balanced and elegant. The finish is long and fresh. It is a wine of great character, which can remain in the cellar for well over a decade, but can also be enjoyed now with a roast chicken or pan-seared salmon.

Price: £20.29 from 8wines UK