Tried this wine last week:
- Batic Zaria V.O. Vipavska Dolina Dry WW (13%; Chardonnay/ Yellow Muscat/Klarnica/Pinella/Vitovska/Zelen; BlueDanubeWineCo; Brl# 3/5 SpecialBttlg for BlueDanube) 2014: Deep golden/orange slight browning color; strong resiny/phenolic/skin-contact light honeyed/orangey slight smokey/cedary bit earthy rather complex nose w/ no oxidation; quite tart/tangy/metallic very strong resiny/skin-contact/phenolic some tannic some orangey/honeyed bit earthy slight nutty/oxidative complex flavor w/ ample astringent/tangy tannins; very long/lingering quite tart/tangy/metallic/austere very strong/resiny/phenolic/skin-contact slight nutty rather earthy/dusty finish w/ ample hard tannins; very much in the Gravner style & needs another 6-10 yrs. $39.00 (BlueDanube)
A wee BloodyPulpit:
- Served at a cool temperature, this wine was very tannic/austere/dry, rather painful on the palate. It really has to be served at room temperature to tone down the tannins. And, of course, needs food.
This was originally an import of Blue Danube Wine Company. They had a terrific portfolio of Austrian/Slovene/Croatian wines. Alas, the closed up shop last Fall.
This wine comes from the Vipava Vlly in Slovenia, hard by the Croatian border. The varieties Zelen and Pinella are indigenous to the area. Several yrs ago, I visited the Vlly. The wines tended to be a bit rustic compared to other Slovene wines. They do a lot of skin-contact whites & Batic was one of the better ones I found.
Tom