Pinot Noir 'Crni' 2017 (750 ml.) - Krauthaker

THE WINE

Pinot Noir 'Crni' by Krauthaker is produced in the Krndija area, Croatia. The vines are aged between 10 and 20 years. The harvest is carried out by hand and the fermentation takes place in large barriques at a controlled temperature. This is followed by aging in Croatian wooden barrels for 8 to 10 months. It is a pure Pinot Noir (Crni), modern, soft, full and warm, very fruity in a harmonious combination with herbaceous and spicy aromas well combined with the floral note. In the mouth it is lively with an evident but not invasive tannic structure, finely rounded, quite long. It takes some time to open, but then shows a pleasant and complex bouquet.

THE COMPANY

Vlado Krauthaker, agronomist and oenologist, owner of the Krauthaker vineyards and winery, contributes to the rich winemaking tradition of the Kutjevo region. At the time of its foundation, the winery owned 1 hectare of vineyard until 2010 when it acquired another 32. Its goal is to emphasize environmentally friendly viticulture and consistent quality as a fundamental principle of production. Magic of colours, taste and aroma are the basis of the entire range of wines. The experiments and the desire to return the techniques used more than 100 years ago to the vineyards and the cellar are constant sources of pleasant surprises for the cellar itself. They serve to validate viticultural practice following ecological principles, in harmony with nature's feedback. In line with this idea, the winery grows wine as it once did, using horses. The course of a wine-growing season is difficult to predict and recent years have seen abrupt changes and extreme weather conditions. Therefore the final result requires exceptional experience and knowledge. Often, recognizing what nature says at the right time proves decisive in the search for the best wines. Krauthaker's vineyards are located at 45.3° north, the same geographic line that extends westward through the world's most famous wine regions: Istria, Piedmont, Rhone Valley, Bordeaux and Oregon. The winery's vineyards are located in the wine region of Kutjevo, on the southern slopes of Krndija. The altitude of the vineyards above sea level varies from 200 to 300 meters. As annual rainfall varies between 500 and 800 mm of rain per square metre, the climate, terroir and weather conditions provide an excellent environment for viticulture. The sandy soil at higher altitude, with little humus, formed on sedimentary rocks, provides an ideal, warm base for the grape during its growing season in July, August and September. The soil is often rocky and clayey and, combined with below average rainfall, requires both experience and extensive knowledge.