Renčel Cuvée Vincent
The Renčel family has always had a homestead in in Karst. Each generation added to the homestead somehow. And while the family produced wine from the beginning (along with crops and animals), their wines were simple: a Terrano and a white blend. Until Joško Renčel.
The transformation of this small farm into a dedicated and well-respected winery began slowly. First by abandoning other agriculture in favor of vines. Next, Renčel deviated from the classic Karst grapes. He planted and experimented with a variety of grapes to see what else would work in the fertile red “terra rossa” soils of Karst. Located in Slovenia’s Primorska on a limestone plateau that stretches between the Gulf of Trieste and the Vipava Valley, and between the Soča Valley and Brkini, Karst shares a lot of the same climatic influences as Italy’s Friuli Venezia Giulia. Proximity to both the Alps and the Adriatic Sea create a unique climate beneficial to grape cultivate. This position between Alpine and sea air masses, along with the cold winter Bora winds, keeps airflow moving through the vineyards.
In his vineyards, located at 270 meters above sea level, Renčel allows nature to have its way. In order to increase the biodiversity he allows what grasses and plants to grow that would appear naturally. He also often leaves grapes to hang for an extended time on the vine before manually harvesting them. Once in the winery, grapes undergo spontaneous fermentation, forgoing cultured yeasts. Wines, some aged in steel, others in oak, and yet others in amphora, are bottled without fining or filtration.
Renčel Cuvée Vincent, 2015
The Cuvée Vincent brings together Malvazija Istriana, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Vitovska. Grapes fermented in contact with skins resulting in a wine with a medium intense, orangey-amber hue. Medium intense floral and fruity aromas made up the bouquet here. I often associate “floral and fruity” as a description for “pretty” wines that have a spring/summer personality. That is not this wine. It may have a fruity and floral nose but one that reflects autumn. Tree fruit, dried apricot, chrysanthemum, and honey made up the aroma profile here.
Sipping revealed flavors similar to those from the nose but with greater intensity. Orange peel upfront followed by a burst of fresh citrus, quince, and Bosc pear. Chrysanthemum and dandelion leaves appeared mid palate followed by a surprising toasted marshmallow finish. Very dry. Very, very dry with medium tannins, mouthwatering acidity, and high-but not noticeably so-alcohol at 15% abv.