Le Sommelier Mixed Case: Draga

Wine Type:
Style of Wine:	Earthy & Spicy
Country of Origin:	Italy
Wine Region:	Friuli
Grape Varietal:	Pinot Grigio, Malvasia, and Various
Bottle Format:	750mL
Case Size:	6 bottles
$409.14 Per Case ($68.19/btl)

Tasting Notes

his mixed case contains two bottles of each wine:

Miklus Jakot Francesco 2017, DOC Collio.

This Friulano is named Jakot, which is the backwards spelling of Tokaj (a name they're no longer allowed to use for the grape). Pouring a glowing dark peach / amber hue, this natural Friulano comes from 63 year old vines rooted in the hills of Collio, and its layered marl and sandstone soils, known as ponca. This had 12 days of skin maceration and a native ferment in wooden barrels, before ageing in large oak for 24 months, and bottled unfiltered. This pours a glowing deep yellow, with potent candied lemon, marmalade, bergamot tea, yellow pear, and almond flooding the medium bodied (13%) palate. Lovely balance and harmony between acidity, alcohol, and fruit, with a gentle rasp of skin tannins, to make this feel seamless.

Miklus Malvasia 2016, DOC Collio.

Pouring a glowing dark peach / amber hue, this natural Malvasia comes from the hills of Collio, and its layered marl and sandstone soils, known as ponca. This was was native fermented on skins (14 days maceration) in wooden barrels, before ageing in large oak for 24 months. A glowing golden hue, this opens with fragrant orange blossoms, honeysuckle, marmalade on a full, heady palate. The 15.5% alcohol is balanced off by brisk acidity, leading this viscous wine to a lengthy finish. Powerful and potent.

Miklus Pinot Grigio 2017, DOC Collio.

Pouring a glowing dark peach / amber hue, this natural Pinot Gris comes from the hills of Collio, and its layered marl and sandstone soils, known as ponca. This was was native fermented on skins for 14 days in wooden barrels, before ageing in large oak for 24 months. Lovely fine bergamot tea, peach skin on a lengthy, fuller-bodied, textural palate, threaded with mineral salts. Very well balanced, though at 14%, this finishes with a flush of warmth.

Critical Praise

Draga, which in the Slovenian language means ‘precious’, is located in the stunning area between the hills of San Floriano del Collio, north of Gorizia, around 270m altitude. To the north they are protected by the Alps, and to the south the winery benefits from the influence of the Adriatic Sea. This area of Collio wine region, is well known for the production of high quality orange wines.

The winery is managed by Milan, Anna and his son Mitja, whose strength is the union of freshness, passion, and experience of four generations of the Miklus family. Their history in winemaking dates back to early 1900, and before then, their cultivation of grapes, cherries, and other agricultural products had been passed down from generation to generation.