Friday, December 5, 2008

Radikon Oslavje 2003 14%

At our apartment for dinner with a great group of friends, we opened and drank a cellarsworth of wine one bottle in particular was Radikon. A name well known amoungst wino's, Ive been waiting to try this particular juice. Like my husband said, it was like a child on christmas getting the toy he asked for. The vineyard, Stanko Radikon is located in the Friuli region of Italy in the province of Gorizia, which is near the Slovanian border. The 10 hectors of land they own produce a large quantity of grapes such as; Ribolla gialla, Chardonnay, Pinot grigio, Sauvignon, Tocai friulano e Merlot. Whats so special about this wine? Well there are a few things, the first being the absence of added yeast. Therefor maceration and fermentation happen naturally with the yeast found only the skins and stems of the grape. Because they are left in the fermentation tank they wine is darker in color (a white wine) then most. The wine is never filtered and sulfites are never added, leaving these yeasts in the liquid and the final product is thicker looking and has pieces of sediment. So why is this a good thing? well first, is all natural- but because there are no sulfites you won't get that 'wine headache' typical especially of whites. But more importantly, all this creates very individual and unique tastes and smells. The Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio used for this particular bottle produces an intense amber yellow wine, with smells of apricot, pinapple,candied fruits and stone. Soft, warm, fresh and mineral with even a touch of tannin (due to the time spent in barique). It wass well balanced and persistant, and unlike anything Ive had before. I must admit though that I was not as impressed as my friends, maybe because the slight hint of oxidation is not something I particularly enjoy. However, I must applaud them for their effort in production and the uniqueness of the wine. I recommened Radikon to everyone to try, but it does have a high price...
Vote 92/100

Con degli amici abbiamo aperto una bottiglia di Radikon. Avendone sentito parlare appena vista alla mia tavola mi sono sentito come un bambino difronte al regalo di Natale. Comincerei col dire che l'Azienda di Stanko Radikon è situata in Friuli Venezia Giulia esattamnete a Oslavia nel comune di Gorizia; possiedono circa 10 ettari di terreno con pendenze molto accentuate quindi difficili da coltivare, producono uve come la Ribolla gialla, Chardonnay, Pinot grigio, Sauvignon, Tocai friulano e Merlot. L'assoluta assenza di lieviti aggiunti al mosto quindi solo lieviti indigeni presenti nelle bucce, la totale macerazione delle uve con le sue bucce nel caso per i bianchi in tini di legno senza il controllo della temperatura assieme a lunghi affinamenti in grandi botti di rovere sono i punti di forza di Radikon. Passiamo alla bottiglia molto stretta dal contenuto di 0,5 l. Stappata emana subito profumi intensi. Versato nel bicchiere il vino si presenta color giallo ambrato con riflessi dorati, velato e consistente. Al naso sprigiona un arcobaleno di sensazioni meravigliose come l'albicocca, l'ananas, i canditi, minerale di pietra bianca con una grande intensità e complessità. In bocca è secco morbido abbastanza caldo, fresco e sapido con una vena di tannicità data dalla lunga macerazione delle bucce. Intenso equilibrato e persistente. Armonico. L'Oslavje è un uvaggio di Chardonnay per il 40%, Pinot grigio 30%, Sauvignon 30%. Una delizia per il palato, un gioiello da meditazione!!
Voto 94/100

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