Wine Region: Vipava Valley

(2017) I had a wonderful visit to Slovenia a few years ago, to the north-western Primorski region which borders Friuli in Italy, with really very similar wine styles. This is made from the indigenous Zelèn variety in an aromatic and crisp, refreshing style. The nose marries waxy limes, peach down and more exotic lychee, before the palate which has lots of texture, a rippling lemon and lime acidity and a dry, cool, fruity core. Extremely tasty, and one of those all-rounder whites from soft cheeses like chaource, to fish, to a korma chicken curry. Watch the video for more information.

(2007) 9% alcohol. Quite a high, estery, floral nose with plenty of zing and lemony zip. crisp, taut, pithy grapefruit flavours and white fruit acidity. Very fresh and bracing.

(2007) Beautifully limpid lime and mineral aromas, with tiny nuances of honey and a lovely oatmeal and cashew creaminess. Very vibrant, nervous palate with terrific vibrancy and tangy lemon fruit and minerality.

(2007) Pinella and Rebula. 2003 was the driest vintage in over 20 years. Grapes dried in shallow wooden cases in rafters of cellar from beginning October to end of February. 3 years in barrels. Only 50gm/l of sulphur needed to stabilise. Lovely salmon pink colour with a lightly oxidised nose with delicate notes of old roses, dried apricots and a hint of acacia honey. On the palate there's a silky texture and medium body, with a sweet, marmalade and brown sugar character. Lovely acidity here that really pushes through a powerful, slightly alcoholic finish. Really lovely stuff though.

(2007) Has a lovely dense, minty creaminess on the nose that is very limpid and ripe, with pineapple and exotic ripe fruits. The palate has deliciously sweet fruit, with the power and alcohol of the vintage coming through powerfully. It is slightly hot in the finish, but the acidity is really very good, and an orange and lemon rind bite.

(2007) Pinot Gris. Around 10,000 bottles, so a big commercial wine selling around 5 Euros cellar door. Very bright, attractive fruit with juicy ogen melon and fat lemony fruit. On the palate a lovely fruit quality. It is dry, but lovely fruit sweetness comes through and a nicely judged orangy acidity. A beautifully pitched Pinot Gris.

(2007) Quite a schisty, smoky mineral note, with some herbal nuances. Fruit is quite ripe beneath. On the palate quite a buttery, full, limpid quality, but the fruit is bright and focused. The palate has some real leesy, skinny bite, with a waxiness and grip. Alcohol is quite noticeable too, but it is a fresh wine with a vibrant, tangy finish.

(2007) Bold, fruity, very lightly herbal notes with a nettly undertone. Matjaž thinks it is the rainy vintage that has promoted this characteristic. On the palate the lychee and pineapple ripeness of the fruit comes through, with a very nice juicy melon and citrus acidity with a grapefruit tang. Very fresh and mouthfilling, but that Sauvignon-like vibrancy pushes through. Delicious.

(2007) Lovely buttercup yellow colour. Very nice fruit character here, with lovely limpid freshness. Little notes of honeysuckle and honey, with some fig and apple fruit, and a background of slightly toasty vanillin. Sparky, bright, delightfully orangy and lemon zest fruitiness. This has verve and nervosity, with a dry grapefruit pith acidity and a sense of minerality, before a warming, rounded finish, but with that tangy definition. Very powerful, but beautifully balanced.

(2007) Polsuho indicates 'half-dry'. This Cabernet Sauvignon rosé is fermented in stainless steel and has a delicate, coppery pink colour. Very nice, fresh, soft strawberry fruit with little herbal nuances on the nose. Palate is off-dry, with plenty of fruit ripeness and RS. Mouthfilling and quite rich, with good acidity, though certainly in a soft, sweeter style. Very nice, easy-drinking aperitif wine, with only 12% alcohol.