Provic, MC barique, 2007

Driving from Ploce through Opuzen and further south, it is hard for anyone to imagine that the sea of plantations of tangerines, nectarines and other fruit hides the plantations of international grapevine varieties that yield good quality wines. It is exactly in this area that family Provic owns a total of 2.5 hectares of plantations of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. These locations belong to the not so known but highly esteemed wine growing region of Neretva, and accordingly, each quality in improvement contributes to the interest in the said area.

 

It is interesting that these vineyards were planted on the land reclaimed from the sea, so these are very mineral and salty soils, which is an important fact in defining wine’s character. According to the chief manufacturing manager, Branko Provic, since the days of PIK Neretva and their wine production, it was proved that Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon can provide good results in this area, so they decided to go with these varieties, although they were not on the list of recommended varieties when they planted them.

 

This MC was produced by fermentation on its own yeasts, with maceration at 24°C, after which the wine was transferred into Slavonian oak barrels for 15 months of aging. In the end, individual varieties were combined into the final blend.

 

Taking into account the vinification conditions, it is not surprising that the nose is a combination of fruit, a lot of smoke, as well as hints of leather. After a while, the wine opens in a somewhat more herbal direction. The palate reveals the fullness of flavor, warmth and the richness of the sun (14.1 percent of alcohol by volume) under which the grape matured. At first, it gives an impression of somewhat sharper and more pronounced flavors that fortunately become milder through the sip, which is definitely a result of the thick, lasting tannins that blend into fruitiness and deliciosity towards the end. If only the acidity was a bit more pronounced (this is perhaps a subjective impression), it could have been a top quality wine. We recommend drinking this wine within the next few years.

 

Best paired with: grilled steak, stew made with fatter sea or freshwater fish, hard cheese

Serving temperature: 18 to 20°C

Price: HRK 69.50

Source: Gastro.hr