Clai Ottocento Bijeli 2018

Tasting Notes -  "Giorgio Clai is often referred to as the ‘Godfather of Istria’ and ‘Godfather of Organic Winemaking'. This skin contact/orange wine from Clai is a blend of Malvazija, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris, who proportions change according to the vintage. Very charming with intense orange peel, tea leaf and honeyed aromas and flavours, but to me this wine is more about texture and suppleness than flavour. Medium, full-bodied with an exotic, spicy long finish. Dry, textured and tantalizing. Enjoy with almost any food but be sure to serve at 12 to 14 C to let the full flavours and aromatics shine."  Janet Dorozynski, DipWSET, PhD (92 pts)
 
'The lustre of shot silk, this is a wine that harnesses great power and richness, yet somehow soars away on the palate. If I could have kept one wine in my glass all night, it would have been this one.'  Jancis Robinson (2010)
 
Serving recommendation: 12 - 14°C
 
Pairing Recommendation:  Veal saltimbocca, baked fish and rich pasta dishes.
 
Awards & Ratings:  Wine Align (2021) - 92 pts
 
Vinification:  The grapes are hand-picked, destemmed and gravity-fed into open-topped oak barrels for fermentation, malolactic conversion and maceration (around fifteen days for Malvazija, five or six for Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio). No selected yeasts, enzymes or bacteria are used in the process. Following pressing, the wine is aged for two years in 1000-2500L barrels, after which it is bottled unfiltered.