Drink now through to 2024. Serve chilled.

This gorgeous Slovenian rosé makes a delicious and unusual alternative to the classic Provencal style thanks to its elegant bottle design and bright flavour profile. The Batic winery is run by Ivan Batic and his son Mika who use biodynamic and organic farming practices, allowing the movements of the heavens to dictate and guide their grape growing and winemaking endeavours. Their winery is located in Slovenia’s Vipava Valley with vineyards planted at up to 1300ft of altitude which helps ensure complexity and balance in their remarkable collection of wines.

Composed of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the fruit for the Batic Rosé is sourced from the estate’s Vogrsko and Brajda. The grapes are lightly pressed and fermented in stainless steel tanks to preserve the attractive natural personality of the variety and to capture plenty of mouthwatering freshness. The wine is made in a dry style with just a hint of residual sugar.

On the nose there are subtle hints of wild strawberries, raspberries and mint, while the first sip displays a light body, crisp acidity and luscious red berry flavours. The vivacious, easy-going character makes this a great match for all manner of salads and vegetable dishes as well as sushi, pan-fried fish and creamy cheeses.

Movia Rebula

Drink now through to 2028. No need to decant before serving.

Edi Simčič founded his winery in 1990 with just 9 acres of land in the Gorizia Hills, one of Slovenia’s most prized winemaking regions. Close to the border with Italy, the land enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate and protection from the strong Bora wind. Conditions here are ideal for producing full-bodied yet elegant white wines as well as peppery and spicy red wines made from typical Slovenian grape varieties.

Duet was inspired by the dual concept of making a wine that offers both something satisfying to drink as well as appealing to true wine connoisseurs. The wine is composed of the classic Bordeaux varietals Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and matured in oak barrels for 24-30 months to add extra complexity and depth of flavour.

The result is a spicy, full-bodied red bursting with rich blackcurrant, black cherry and berry aromas seasoned with hints of cigar box spice, licorice and dried herbs. The first sip reveals a well-developed structure and smooth tannins which will respond gracefully to extended cellaring over the next eight years or so. The bold flavour profile makes this a great partner for red meats, game and hearty pasta dishes.

Drink now through 2032. No need to decant before serving.

The origins of Jakoncic winery date back to 1847 when Mihael and Carolina Jakončič planted their very first vineyard in Kozana in western Slovenia close to the border with Italy. Today the estate is still in the hands of the same family with Aljosa Jakoncic heading up the operation.

Their Carolina Rdeca is a Bordeaux-style blend crafted from predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon along with smaller proportions of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The sunny Mediterranean climate ensures that the grapes achieve optimal ripeness and the vines are planted on characterful terraces on the hillsides. Here the cooling breezes help to modify summertime temperatures and preserve freshness in the grapes.

On the nose there are intense notes of bright ripe berries like cassis, blackberry and redcurrant along with subtle notes of dried flowers, bitter chocolate and crushed wild berries. The wine is aged in oak barrels for 24 months which adds complexity and subtle hints of clove, cinnamon and spice to the richly-layered flavour profile. This is a wine which will perform well in the cellar over the next decade or so, but can equally be enjoyed now with rich red meat dishes.

Drink now through to 2028. Serve chilled.

The Lavrenčič family have lived in the Vipava Valley in Slovenia since at least 1499 and for the past three generations they have made wine here. In 2009 Primoz Lavrenčič left the family winery to set up his own project named Burja after the fierce wind that blows through the valley and has a big impact on everything from daily life to the kinds of crops that can be grown here.

Primoz seeks to work in harmony with nature wherever possible and practices both organic and biodynamic viticulture. He primarily uses local grape varieties which are well-suited to this region with its proximity to the sea and the mountains. Bela is crafted from Malvazija, Welschriesling, Rebula, and Vipavec grapes which grow on marl and sandstone soils in the valley.

The fruit is carefully harvested by hand with 70% fermented in oak barrels and the remainder in concrete tanks. The young wine is then aged in oak barrels for 11 months and is bottled without filtering or fining to preserve the full natural character of the wine. The result is an intense white wine with ripe tropical and stone fruits on the nose and a rich texture and medium body balanced by a lively streak of acidity.

Drink now through 2028. No need to decant before serving.

Stara Brajda Rdece means “old vineyard red” in Slovenian since the grapes for this red are sourced from some of the estate’s oldest plots. The cuvee is composed of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot as well as the indigenous Refosco grape. Following vinification the young wine is aged in 500-litre oak casks for 24 months to harmonise the different varieties and add polish and elegance.

This rich, full-bodied red has plenty of luscious generosity from the Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with ripe dark berry flavours, firm tannins and a well-built structure. The Refosco adds a touch of tart freshness which helps to provide balance and grace to the plush flavour profile.

The Scurek family have been making wine for at least four generations, with historic records showing that current owner Stojan’s grandfather had 1 hectare of vines which produced some 50 hectolitres of wine annually. Today Stojan works the family estate together with his sons using traditional methods and local grapes alongside cutting edge technology and international varieties. Their estate is set on the Italian border in western Slovenia and is known for its elegant yet full-bodied wines produced from prime vineyard sites.