Matosevic Alba Malvazija Antiqua 2015

Drink now through to 2028. Serve chilled.

Maverick Croatian Ivica Matošević enologist left his PhD studies to pursue a dream of crafting stunning wines from his native Istrian terroir. Since the sale of his very first bottles in 1996, Ivica Matošević has won a slew of international awards and been at the forefront of Istria’s renaissance as a top wine producing region.

Ivica started out farming the vines of his relatives until he was finally able to purchase his own land in Brdo in central Istria. Here the sunny Mediterranean climate is moderated by the proximity of the Mirna and Butoniga rivers and Ivica’s vines are planted on steep south-facing slopes which create an ideal microclimate for quality winemaking.

Ivica’s iconic grape variety is the noble Malvazija Istarska or Malvasia Istriana which has been grown in the region since antiquity. This unique expression of the varietal is made by fermenting the must with the skins and a very long maturation period of 30 months in French oak and acacia barrels on the lees. The result is an intensely aromatic wine which opens with notes of acacia blossom, honey and toasted nuts and offers a full body balanced by freshness and a touch of minerality.