Hiera Germa by Şen Vineyards
Şen Vineyards is a little-known winery tucked away in Balıkesir in Turkey’s Marmara region. Better known for its harbor Bandırma (second only to Istanbul in commercial importance), than it is its wine, Balıkesir nonetheless has a long history of viticulture. So when Feyzi Şen decided to establish a vineyard he felt drawn to the inland village of Ilica in Balıkesir.
The winery here produces three wines. Its top tier Hiera Germa, a series of varietal reds called Assuva, and its entry wine, a red blend called Kybele. Şen Vineyards cultivates only international varieties Cabernet Sauvingon, Merlot, and Syrah. While each level wine features one or a combination of these three grapes, the winemaking behind them brings out different styles. The different styles also reflect in the winery’s rather fantastic labels (my favorites being the Hiera Germa and the Kybele).
Hiera Germa 2010 Tasting Notes
Şen Vineyards takes inspiration for the name of its wines from local history and legend. Hiera Germa, which means “holy water” was the ancient name of the winery’s village Ilica where many sought cures from the healing waters that once existed here.
A Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot blend that went through extended oak aging, the 2010 was not bottled until 2013. Opaque garnet in color and initially reductive on the nose, this quickly revealed itself to be a wine for brett lovers. Developed animal aromas of smoked meat and leather dominated underlying red fruits. Palate flavors were faaaaaascinating (per my notes). Medium bodied with 13.5% abv and finely grained tannins there was more fruit here than in the nose. Cherries and black plums complimented bacon and liquid smoke with hints of barnyard.
Not a wine for the faint of heart! However, for anyone who likes a of that bretty barnyard quality Şen Vineyards’ Hiera Germa is the wine for you!