Written by: Tomo Jakopović “The Wine Hunter”
The Nadin area is a region where Merlot delivers some of its finest results in Croatia, and the Škaulj winery — whose guiding philosophy is organic production — crafts from it striking wines with minimal intervention. They are known for their Merlots, which are consistently of high quality. The Merlot currently on the market is from the 2020 vintage.
The wine is a deep ruby colour with noticeable density. The nose is intense and layered. It opens with fruity notes of ripe sour cherry and cherry, with a discreet touch of griotte, followed by piquant, spicy aromas of white pepper, clove and fine tobacco, while beneath them rise scents of Mediterranean herbs, immortelle and sage.
The aromatic components carry through faithfully onto the palate, which is rich and refined. It is full-bodied, and its high extract easily carries the 15% alcohol. The wine is dry, warm and soft, while a high acidity holds it in perfect balance. There is plenty of succulence and pronounced juiciness, reined in by abundant ripe tannins. The finish is memorable and long.
It is fully ready for the market, but with significant potential for development and for long-term ageing. It is a good partner to many dishes, but will pair best with cuts of aged beef, dishes of large game, and also with numerous chocolate desserts.
