Gabernik 23 - Merlot Method Ancestral
The fruit was hand-harvested and fully destemmed but not crushed. The berries were lightly pressed to stainless-steel where the wine naturally settled for two days prior to warming the tank up a touch for a native yeast fermentation to kick-off the primary ferment. After a little more than three weeks the wine was racked with a small sulfur addition, holding back MLF, to a fiberglass tank for aging.
After seven months the wine was then bottled and the secondary fermentation addition of grape sugar and yeast was added. The wine aged on lees with routine riddling and after 30 months it was disgorged and a five gram dosage was added accentuating the fresh, bright fruit of the wine.
- About the Winemaker
- Tasting Notes
- Pairings
Gabernik 23 is a small family-owned winery in Štajerska, Slovenia. Janko Bogatic started working alongside his father in his family’s vineyards at the age of ten. While he seemed destined for a career in dairy farming, at 18 Janko was forced to return to the family property to manage the vineyards after the sudden passing of his father. Now, almost 30 years later, Janko is farming 9 hectares of vineyards situated on the slopes around Ritoznoj in the foothills of the Pohorje range.
While some of the grapes are sold to another local winemaker, Janko began bottling his own wines under the Gabernik 23 label in 2018. There are many varieties planted in the Gabernik 23 vineyards, but the focus is on the less fashionable varieties, like Yellow Muscat and Zweigelt. The aim is to show that with a little love and respect these grapes can produce some stunning wines.
Vivid ruby-red. Lively raspberry, cherry and fresh rose aromas are complemented by hints of red licorice and woodsy underbrush. Shows very good energy and lift to its juicy, red berry and floral pastille flavors. A white pepper note and sage tone adds complexity to the fruit-driven style. Finishes smooth with persistent bubbles.
Friends, Sunshine, The Park
About the Winemaker
Gabernik 23 is a small family-owned winery in Štajerska, Slovenia. Janko Bogatic started working alongside his father in his family’s vineyards at the age of ten. While he seemed destined for a career in dairy farming, at 18 Janko was forced to return to the family property to manage the vineyards after the sudden passing of his father. Now, almost 30 years later, Janko is farming 9 hectares of vineyards situated on the slopes around Ritoznoj in the foothills of the Pohorje range.
While some of the grapes are sold to another local winemaker, Janko began bottling his own wines under the Gabernik 23 label in 2018. There are many varieties planted in the Gabernik 23 vineyards, but the focus is on the less fashionable varieties, like Yellow Muscat and Zweigelt. The aim is to show that with a little love and respect these grapes can produce some stunning wines.
Tasting Notes
Vivid ruby-red. Lively raspberry, cherry and fresh rose aromas are complemented by hints of red licorice and woodsy underbrush. Shows very good energy and lift to its juicy, red berry and floral pastille flavors. A white pepper note and sage tone adds complexity to the fruit-driven style. Finishes smooth with persistent bubbles.
Pairings
Friends, Sunshine, The Park