# Kobal Roots Blaufränkisch (2024)

- **Producer:** Kobal Wine Estate
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Blaufränkisch
- **Region:** Podravje, Slovenia
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 13.0%
- **Average price:** €18
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** blackberry, cherry, plum, black pepper, orange, chocolate, cloves, dried fig, tobacco, mushroom

## About this wine

Kobal Wine Estate, led by winemaker Bojan Kobal, is situated in the steep Haloze Hills of Štajerska Slovenija, where winegrowing dates back to Roman times. The Roots bottling comes from old vines averaging over 35 years in age, planted on steep terraced slopes composed of clay and marl. Forced to dig deep into the mineral marl layers, these old vines lend unique depth and regional identity to the wine, reflecting the distinctive cool-climate conditions of eastern Slovenia.

## Interesting facts

- Vines average over 35 years of age on steep terraced marl slopes reaching up to 400 meters elevation.
- Fermentation relies entirely on native wild microflora in large open oak vats.
- Bottled without fining or filtration to preserve raw varietal character and mineral drive.

## Food pairing

The bright cool-climate acidity, medium ripe tannins, and peppery dark fruit character make this Blaufränkisch versatile at the table. It cuts through rich duck and pork fat seamlessly while harmonizing with earthy mushroom and wild game flavors.

## Wine making process

Hand-picked grapes are fully de-stemmed before undergoing 21 days of extended skin maceration in open vats. Fermentation takes place spontaneously with wild endemic yeasts. The wine ages for six months in used oak barrique barrels, during which natural malolactic fermentation completes. It is bottled unfined and unfiltered with minimal added sulfur dioxide, followed by three months of bottle maturation prior to release.