Urlice Artizan Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Urlice Vineyards is one of Turkey’s special boutique wineries. The husband/wife team Reha and Bilge Benisü Öğünlü oversee everything from vineyards to cellar on their own.
The Making of a Dream
Bilge and Reha lived in the US for over 15 years. While there they developed a love for wine and gastronomy. Her parents had a small vineyard where they learned the ropes a bit during visits. Between those visits and their wine tours in the US their love of wine grew prompting them to start their own vineyard when they returned to Turkey.
Since beginning planting in 2002, Bilge and Reha have built a beautiful winery and make wines every bit as thoughtful as they are. They are self-taught from books and through trial and error. Painstaking effort is taken to ensure that the vineyards remain chemical free. Both proponents of the slow food movement, Bilge and Reha and no interest in rushing their first, or any, wines. Therefore they rely on minimal interventionist winemaking and good cellaring practices.
The Urla Wine Route
Urlice is a member of the Urla Wine Route. West of Izmir, it is perhaps Turkey’s most successful wine route. It provides an excellent example that wineries elsewhere in the country have begun to emulate. With maps, road signs, and friendly winery owners it’s easy to find your way around and enjoy what each winery has to offer.
Situated between Izmir and the famous resort town of Çeşme; Urla is the heart of Izmir-based vineyards. Long before the vineyards currently located in this area people were making wine. Including, to name a few, the Ionians, the Persians, and the Romans.
The Urlice winery and tasting room are set amidst its vineyards and ancient olive groves. It is an old stone “kule” (tower) restored to its present single-story tasting room and underground cave where the wine is aged. Bilge and Reha have added added a deck outside where you can enjoy wine and food from their kitchens while surrounded by nature. A fantastic escape for anyone; let alone those of us surrounded by the concrete and metal jungle that is Istanbul!
But How Are The Wines?
The only winemakers and oenologists you will find at Urlice are Bilge and Reha. Early on they decided to make their own wine. A professional oenologist would make wine that is technically correct but it would be his wine; a wine that he’s probably made for a dozen other producers. They make wine to suit their tastes.
In their vineyards they cultivate only international grapes: Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Shiraz. Because they developed their love of wine in the US, the wines available there to them also developed their palate. While the grapes they work with may be ubiquitous, the flavors they get out of them are unique to Urlice.
Urlice Artizan Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 Tasting Notes
This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon spent two years, give or take, in French oak with limited filtration. The color…not so pretty. I find that often in unfiltered (or limited filtered) wines and this one, with its brickish red color is no different. I don’t know about you but I would rather have all the flavor that comes with an unfiltered wine than a pretty color!
The other thing not filtered is the alcohol level. At 14.5% ABV this wine could practically stand up on its own it’s so strong. The nose is rich with fruit, baking spices, pepper, sweet tobacco, and dried mint. Firm yet supple tannins carry flavors of ripe fruits, tobacco, and herbs through to a long, savory and smokey finish.
The Urlice Artizan is a wine as lovely and thoughtful as the people behind it.