1999 Edi Simčič, Goriška Brda, Duet Riserva (RT96) At 25+ years of age, the 1999 Duet Riserva, a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, has evolved into a magnificent display of generous ambiance and tranquility. Closely resembling a Grand Cru Classé Right Bank Bordeaux blend with a modest 13.5% alcohol, it portrays the magnificence of the old world. Revealing a deep, garnet russet hue, soaring notes of dark cherry compote, blackcurrants, kirsch, exotic spices, smoked charcuterie, tobacco and puffs of wisping smoke light up the stem. The palate has sublimely evolved and is gentle, buttressed with soft acidity and supple ripe tannins on a long, enduring finish. This is a bona fide overachieving red from a timeframe when the wines of Slovenia commanded little respect in the world of fine wine. This winery was just 9 years of age when the 1999 was bottled, but one sip of this gem will have you rethinking your buying strategy. This is world class by every measure. A perfect pairing with red meat dishes, grilled steaks and hearty wild game. Drink now-2034 Tasted April 2025
The Simčič winery, located in the small Goriška Brda subzone of northwest Slovenia, is comprised of 45 villages in just over 72 square kilometers. This region is sometimes referred to as Slovenia’s “Little Tuscany”. This winery was founded in 1990 and has risen at an astonishing pace. Today both Edi’s son Aleks, and his son Jure, work in the winery as they build the tradition of superb excellence. The family works the 12 hectares of noncontiguous vineyards spread around the rolling hills of countryside. Altitude varies from 90 – 300 meters, mostly oriented to the south and west. For the Duet bottling – both normale and Riserva – they farm 2 hectares of vineyards. This wine is a blend of 80% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cab Franc, all of which is organically, dry farmed and then fermented in French oak for 4 years, followed by 2 months in stainless and finally 6 months at the winery post bottling. The 4 years of barrel aging truly set this wine apart from traditional Bordeaux, which typically receives 1 year in barrique. A total of 7,000 bottles of Duet are produced. I find it interesting that the winery suggests a drinking window of 17 years or less for this wine, but my experience with this 1999 suggests a far longer drinking window, more toward the “drink within 30 years” window.
