Price: 50 kunas + VAT in the cellar
Chkrlet is not a new hybrid variety developed in Chernobyl. Chkrlet is a combination of Škrlet (75%) and Chardonnay from the vineyard of Ivan Kosovec in Moslavina.
The intention here is not to discover hot water with something new. Kosovec has already redefined what Škrlet is with his Selection and regular label from the 2011 harvest and later on with a very different, but excellent Škrlet 2012, which was exported almost completely.
Unlucky years followed, when in the impossible 2014 despite minimal vineyard protection he had healthy grapes until the very last deluge of the year and one hundred percent damage from hail in 2015.
As if cultivation without pesticides is not risky enough, force majeure determined the fate of 2016 as well, when 80 percent of the crop failed due to spring frost and hail again.
The white grapes that were left over make up Chkrlet. As if nature herself chose the best of the best, the very first scent reminded of the 2011 Selection in its moment of youth. In its typology, one of the most significant white wines which appeared on the market in the past fifteen years. I clearly remember the dinner when it was opened along with a dry Furmint, a hundred percent Roussanne Clos Bellane 2008 and great Montenidoli 2001 Il Templare.
2016 Chkrlet is a completely dry, clear, airy and drinkable, and yet aromatic wine with a touch of desirable rusticity.
An apple compote on the nose, soft spiciness from maceration or aging on fine residue, but without wood. With the finesse of yellow tannin, sharp and electric acids distributed ideally. An evident quality of extract at 12.5% alcohol enables that tension during the sip and thirst for another…
WordPress says this is my 1.200 impression. I am glad to commemorate it with this wine. Because it was filled in less bottles than the impressions I published and because it is significant. Significant because it shows that 2011 was not a coincidence.
And judging by everything, 2017 will finally prove that.
For the original and more from Vinopija blog on wine, click here.
