Damijan Podversic Prelit 2018

Damijan Podversic is one of Italy's leading natural winemakers, a former protégé of Gravner who works organically in the hills around Gorizia in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, on the border with Slovenia. Prelit is a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, two Bordeaux grapes that find good structure in the region's distinctive ponca soils, a layered marl and sandstone that drains well and lends the wines depth and minerality. The slopes catch warm days and cool nights, a diurnal range that ripens the fruit while holding the acidity. In keeping with the natural approach, the wine is farmed without chemical intervention and made with minimal additions, then aged for 36 months in large foudres. The long elevage in neutral casks allows slow oxygen exchange that integrates the tannin and builds tertiary, savoury complexity without imposing oak flavour. Expect a deep, dense ruby colour, a nose of dark plum, cherry, leather, tobacco and forest floor, and a full bodied palate with firm, ripe tannin, savoury earth and a dark chocolate edge on a long finish. Serve at 18 degrees and decant well ahead. It is a red for roast and braised meat.