In 2022, I had the chance to fulfill one of my personal dreams at Vinas Mora: to vinify a wine from the very best vineyard – located right by the sea.
The legendary Bucavacwas planted in 1946 in traditional small Clos, each with just 8–10 vines – only where the roots could dig into the rock (Kaamen). The parcel for my Babić faces northwest and benefits from a cool sea breeze and afternoon shade – a true gift between April and September.
Plant protection was kept to a bare minimum: just one organic spray with copper and sulfur at the beginning of the season. After that, the vines were left to grow freely. The only source of water during the hot 2022 vintage came from the morning dew – bringing not only life, but also the subtle salinity that shows up later in the wine. The berries stayed small, concentrated, and full of intensity. The untrimmed canopy naturally protected the fruit from the sun.
Harvest took place on October 5th, 2022, in the cool morning hours – entirely by hand. Yields were tiny (around 10 vines per bottle!). Thanks to the cold nights leading up to harvest, we achieved full physiological ripeness – resulting in 13.6% vol. alcohol.
Vinification:
The grapes were fully destemmed, gently extracted, and spontaneously fermented in open-top fermenters. Delicate hand punchdowns were done three times a day. The fermentation, carried out by native yeasts, finished smoothly after five days. The wine was then pressed and aged in used barriques.
Bottling took place on November 6th, 2023, with just 8 mg/l free SO₂ and 13 mg/l total SO₂.
The wine:
The nose bursts with wild cherries, carried by a salty sea breeze – so seductive, it begs to be tasted. On the palate, there's real power, balanced by ripe acidity that makes all that energy feel almost weightless. And then it hits: that endless minerality – oyster shell, stone, depth – all wrapped in the silkiest, finest-grained tannins.
A wine that wakes you up – one that captures the full energy of this magical place.
I couldn’t be prouder!
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Land:
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Kroatien |
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Region:
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Primosten |
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Typ:
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Rotwein
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Jahrgang:
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2022
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Rebsorte:
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Babic |
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Alkohol:
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14 % vol
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Geschmack:
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trocken
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Zusatzstoffe:
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Enthält Sulfite
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Hersteller/
Innverkehrbringer:
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Vinas Moras
Splitska 83
22202 Primosten - Kroatien
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