Krauthaker Pinot Noir 2017

Ideally drink now

The Krauthaker Pinot Noir, grown in the renowned winemaking region of Kutjevo in Eastern Croatia, displays a bright ruby color, with cherry jam and light savory aromas. On the palate, this wine is modern, plush, and warm, with sweet raspberry preserve, black tea leaves, and subtle vanilla and clove flavors. Soft, fine grained tannins are noticeable throughout, but never drying. The long, harmonious finish exhibits a faint white pepper tinge, with refreshing acidity.

Lighter roasted meats, game bird dishes, or semi-hard alpine cheeses like Gruyere, Comte, or Manchego would match this wines soft, velvety character and complexity.

Winemaking in the Kutjevo region can be traced all the way back to 1232, when Cistercian monks originally dug cellars on the southern slopes of Krndija, where Krauthaker is located. The region is on the same parallel, 45.3 degrees North, that when extended westward meets some of the most famous wine regions in the world; the Rhone, Bordeaux, Oregon, and the northern reaches of Piedmonte. This, combined with the soils and growing potential of the slopes of Krndija, leads to the production of some the best wines Croatia has to offer. The Krauthaker Pinot Noir is a foremost example; made from grapes fertilized only with manure, and great care being taken in the cellar to showcase the fruit, with just 15% new French oak being used in the 13-month long maturation process.