Marjan Simcic Chardonnay Opoka 2022

Drink it now or cellar for up to 10 years. No need to decant, but best to open it half an hour before service. Marjan Simčič is a family-run organic winery located in the Slovenian Collio (Brda). Its vineyards extend between Slovenia and Italy. Here Marjan, a descendant of Jozef who founded the company in 1860, produces excellent quality wines thanks to the typical soils of these hills and meticulous (and mostly manual) work in the vineyard and cellar. The Chardonnay grapes are selected and harvested manually from approximately 40-year-old vines, grown organically and located on the limestone hills of Collio, which enjoy southeast exposure. After the harvest, fermentation occurs spontaneously in oak barrels with maceration on the skins. The finished wine then remains for approximately 2 years in large oak barrels (30% new) and then a further 4 months in the bottle. Opoka Chardonnay has an intense golden yellow color with reflections tending towards amber. The nose is rich and intense, ripe and fragrant with aromas of dried fruit and honey, melted butter, and sweet spices. There are also mineral hints that return on the palate. It is a powerful and velvety wine with good acidity and a marked savory streak. It's fresh and persistent. Excellent with mushroom risotto, white meat, and medium-aged cheeses.

Price: £33.60 from 8wines UK