MELNIK 55 2024

APPELLATION: Struma Valley, Bulgaria

GRAPES: 100% Melnik 55 (a.k.a. Early Melnik Vine) - the signature red local indigenous grape variety of Struma Valley, which was also favourite of Sir Winston Churchill back in the days and he had regular annual shipment of Melnik red wines to the cellar at 10 Downing street.

AVERAGE YIELD: 8000 kg/ha

TERROIR: Warm Mediterranean climate. The grapes come from the winery’s own 20 year old vineyards near the village of General Todorov situated at an altitude of 360 m above sea level on sandy clay soils.

WINEMAKING: Gentle pressing of the grapes and maceration with the skins for 5 days

followed by temperature controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks. 12 months ageing in combination of used small French oak 225 litre and big 2 tonnes Slavonian oak barrels where the wine also undergoes malolactic fermentation.

TECHNICAL FACTS: ABV 14%, Total Acidity: 5.36 g/l, Residual Sugars: 3.8 g/l

COLOUR: Bright ruby colour with purple hues

NOSE: Intense fruity aromas of cherries, wild herbs and delicate vanilla.

PALATE: Very harmonious and well-balanced, medium to full bodied red with attractive black cherry and forest fruit notes, rich and savoury with additional notes of tobacco and red pepper, juicy acidity and long finish.

FOOD MATCH: Lamb, pork, game, BBQ, mushroom dishes.