2019 Sanctum Bubamara Red Blend

Štajerska, Slovenia

This single vineyard Hiša (house) red is a barrel selection of pinot noir with a small addition of cool climate syrah. Made with a hands-off approach in order to express the fruit and the terroir of the vineyard in the glass. The wine shows a dusty cranberry nose with vegetal notes typical of Štajerska pinot noir, and the syrah adds a touch of black and white pepper. The mouthfeel is earthy and a bit chalky, elegance and inviting drinkability are revealed when this medium-body wine is paired with food.

Enjoy with stews, goulashes, sausages, roasted red meats, pulled pork, and broth boiled beef with an assortment of vegetables like onions, carrots, tomatoes, leeks, potatoes, celery, and cauliflower.

85% Pinot Noir, 15% Syrah. All vineyards are located on steep 45˚ slopes with southern-exposure, ranging from 100 meters to 480 meters above sea level. Nights are refreshingly chilly, as the winds whip around the sharp hills and valleys. The soil  is made up of marl, clay and sand. No irrigation in the vineyards, spraying as necessary depending upon climate conditions. Most years only sulfites, sometimes copper, and rarely other substances allowed under Slovenian integrated farming regulations. Each variety is picked and processed separately. Embracing the minimal intervention approach in the cellar, hand-harvested grapes were destemmed and spontaneously fermented in open top fermenters. 19-24 day maceration. After 12 months of aging in used French oak the wine was blended in stainless steel tanks and bottled unfiltered.