Kozlović "Malvazija" Istria, Croatia 2023

FROM VINUM:

THE WINE: Gianfranco Kozlović's Malvasia is one of the most classic and authentic examples of Istrian Malvasias. An extremely fragrant nose of acacia flowers, bananas, peach, apples, pears, citrus and herbs. The acidity leaves your palate with mouthwatering freshness and fruitiness, intense minerality spiced with slight saltiness, and citrus fruit acidity. Grapes were hand-harvested, de-stemmed, followed by one night of maceration, and then fermented in stainless steel tanks. Fermentation was done through high-grade (non-commercial) yeasts. Prior to bottling, blended with approximately 2% of Malvasia that was fermented and aged in oak barrels.

THE PRODUCER: Gianfranco Kozlović is the largest private producer of Malvasia in Istria, and a vocal crusader for quality. The family has been working these vineyards that dot the hillsides of northern Istria for several generations. Since the early 90s, Gianfranco and his wife Antonella have played a key role in putting Croatian Istrian malvasia back on the wine map. They have experimented with different styles and are producing several malvasia wines in their beautiful modern winery today. However, their signature and their claim to fame remains the fresh, crisp, aromatic, mineral, unoaked malvasia.