Price: 78,50 kn for non-barrique version
What’s the saying, “who hasn’t tasted Babić, hasn’t tasted wine,” or something like that… Luckily, Babić is one of the most common last names in Croatia. And yet we still hear today “how few real Babić there are” in the sense that only the one from the Primošten Bucavac is “the real one,” so it’s not easy to be smart.
It is certain that in domestic terms this variety evokes the strongest emotions and greater mythology than any other. Rosé from the Babić variety of the Rak winery from Šibenik Dubrava “softened” the Babić experience an hinted than even the red wine is exceptional. The purpose of this tasting was not to ascertain if this is the real Babić or if all those more expensive ones are, which are far more wooden, extracted, concentrated and alcoholic Babićs. The purpose was to enjoy something meaningful, in a Babić which realises the needed identification with the variety and climate.
Babić barrique 2012 vs. Babić 2013 vs. Babić 2015: without decanting all are closed or show aspects of schooling in the cellar. Like the vanilla from an oak barrel in the 2012 barrique.
The darkest fruit, but also the least ripe, is in the 2015 version. What captivates is the humus and generally with all Rak Babić wines the fruit sensations are not in the forefront at first. Fruits develop and open gradually.
The barrel composed the tannins in 2012 into a gentle price. In fact, time did that, and schooling helped the time. The feature of the material quality is the one which realises expressive, steady aroma without being heavy on the palate.
Leather, spices, medicinal herbs… Non-fruit aromas dominate, and with time shows fruitiness (sour cherries, pomegranate, dried plums).
Even the youngest bottled harvest from 2015 is a wine which “feels like wine.” Not like fruit, not like flowers, but simply and correctly – wine. When a doctor recommend a glass of red wine with a meal, he does not mean the Kosovo Vranac in plastic packaging, or even less the Chilean bestseller. He means this. The wine.
Which has its own life cycle and in which I would expect to be well formed in the future. Just like it is formed in the air in an appropriate glass.
Babić 2013 today has a wonderful balance! Enjoyable softness feels convincing, just like authentic Babić. Whatever that means.
Dry like the other two wines and with similar alcohols (13%). Full body, integrated tannins, relaxed with time in the bottle, tense with life… It hints of the grapes it came from. Still guarding that pre-fermentation freshness and intoxication. Now almost balsamic, it leaves mineral sensations in the after clearer than the other two wines. As it is ideally ready.
Comparably similar wines and expectedly different. But all full of sense and identity, not full of extract which is its own purpose.
Purpose. The word which marked this impression. I hope that makes sense.
For the original and more from Vinopija.hr blog on wine, click here.
https://vinopija.com/2017/06/14/rak-babic/
