2008 BELI KRIŽ - DECENT QUAFFER FROM SLOVENIA

Slovenia is an emerging player on the world wine scene. Thanks to its location, it has a number of influences; Italian, Germanic and central European. These influences are manifest in this particular wine from the Marof estate.

Beli Križ (which literally translates as white cross) is a blend of central Europe’s Laski Rizling (also known as Welschriesling) together with Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. It is a thoroughly modern wine, vibrant and fresh, with modest aromatics and a rounded, very clean palate.

While it doesn’t hit the great heights of the truly great white blends produced on the Italian side of Slovenia’s western border in Friuli, it is nevertheless a decent introduction to the wines of Slovenia and can be acquired for a modest outlay. One should note that it sits within the Marof estate’s ‘Basic’ range and therefore is intended to be little more than an easy drinking wine for early consumption.

2008 BELI KRIŽ
Producer: Marof
Variety: Aromatic white blend (Laski Rizling 47%, Chardonnay 33%, Sauvignon Blanc 20%)
Vintage: 2008
Region: Prekmurje, Slovenia
ABV: 12.5%
Closure: Screw cap
Retail Price: $24.00
Date tasted: 3 December 2012

Tasting Note:
Pale silvery lemon. Restrained aromatic nose of guava, lemon zest, pineapple and passionfruit. Dry, medium bodied, quite straightforward, moderate intensity, rounded and easygoing, lifted by bright acidity on the finish. A clean, modern wine, easy and uncomplicated, but lacking genuine depth and complexity.
Score: 15/20