Saints Hills Black 2016

Cellar for up to 7 years. No need to decant before serving.

Founded in 2014, Saints Hills is very much a family-run winery with relatives involved in everything from guiding tours to cooking up delicious French pastries and dishes for guests at the winery. The estate is headquartered in an ancient stone house which used to be a winery until it fell into disuse some 80 years ago. Today the new owners have breathed new life into this stunning corner of the Peljesac peninsula with a focus on traditional winemaking methods which express the true beauty of Croatia’s native varieties.

This vibrant and powerful red is crafted from Croatia’s most famous black grape variety, Plavac Mali. The grapes are sourced from Dingac on the Peljesac peninsula which in 1961 became the first place in Croatia to be awarded its own winemaking appellation. Conditions here are ideal for crafting robust yet balanced reds thanks to the steep hillsides which must be worked by hand and the nearby sea which helps cool the vines in the hot summers.

The fruit is carefully picked by hand at optimum ripeness and then transferred to the winery where only the best berries are selected for this wine. Following vinification in traditional large wooden vats, the young wine then ages in a combination of concrete vats, wooden tanks and small oak barrels. Blueberries, blackberries, plums and evocative Mediterranean herbs like oregano and thyme define the nose, while the first sip offers a velvety texture and tannins. An ideal match for grilled red meats, pecorino or other aged sheep cheeses, and typical Italian charcuterie like prosciutto or salami.