Marof Goricko Noir 2019 Slovenia

The Marof Winery and vineyards can be found in Goricko, right up in the North-East of Slovenia, near the borders with Austria, Croatia and Hungary. This part of Slovenia was first planted to vines over a century ago by the old Hungarian noble family Szapary, but has seen a lot of change. In the 1960s, mostly native American vine varieties were planted, with these vineyards in Mackovci and Bodonci some of the only exceptions. The modern winery was built in 2007, well after Slovenia's initial winemaking boom in the 1980s, but focusing on these excellent vineyard sites and classic Central European grapes which, up to that point, were being sold to local large wineries for bulk wine. Winemaking is decidedly low-intervention and farming is organic. A blend of zweigelt and blaufrankisch, this has blueberry fruit, a few floral notes and a hint of spice. Not a million miles from a serious well-crafted Cru Beaujolais, except with perhaps a little more food-friendly tannin. Try it for lunch with wurst and sauerkraut.