Domaine Vicomte de Noüe Marinic Goriska Brda Sotto la Chiesa Bigliana II Cru Classificazione 2020

Domaine Vicomte de Noue Marinic makes this Chardonnay at Kojsko, in the Goriska Brda hills of western Slovenia, on the border with Italy's Collio. The vineyards sit on the region's marl and sandstone soils, known locally as ponca, which drain well and give white wines depth and structure. Farming is natural and sustainable. This is a serious, oak aged Chardonnay: the wine spends twelve months in barrel and a further twelve months in stainless steel, a long ageing that builds a full, layered wine while the steel keeps the fruit fresh. Time in barrel, with lees contact and slow air exchange, adds a creamy, toasty texture and a spiced note of oak. At 14.5 per cent it is a ripe, generous white. It pours a deep gold and shows ripe pear, white peach, citrus, hazelnut and a note of vanilla and toast. The palate is broad, textured and long, with ripe fruit held by fresh acidity. Serve it at 12 to 14 degrees in a large glass.