Zanut
Brda, Slovenia
In November 2017, in true treasure-hunting SVS spirit, Simon went to Ljubljana for the 20th Slovenian wine festival, a chance to taste wine from all over this small country (about the size of Wales, with a population of two million).
It was a revelation: whilst some of the red wines are problematic, the standard of the whites (which make up over 2/3 of Slovenian production), was breathtaking. Even within a tasting where there were so many stimulating whites - intense, dry and age-worthy - one man’s whites stood out: those of Borut Kocijančič at Zanut.
The seven hectares of the family-owned Zanut vineyards, mostly terraced and all grassed, lie across the rolling hills of Brda near the village of Neblo in the far west of Slovenia; only a few kilometres from the Italian border, and just north of the Italian city of Gorizia (Goriska). Soils, rich in minerals, are composed of clay, slate and sandstone. As one would expect, given the location, the grape varieties grown are very similar to those grown across the border in Friuli.
As the prices imply, these are no ordinary wines. The products of one of the top growers in Goriska Brda, the country’s highest-rated wine district, fully deserve to be enjoyed by British wine drinkers. As tastings of older vintages confirmed, they keep well too.
Buy Zanut Wines…
To coincide with the publication of the Beautiful South offer Simon Taylor will be hosting a...
CodeBSV120
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Mas Cremat, Cotes de Roussillon, L'Envie, 2019
Medium bodied
Classic southern blend of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Carignan – and showing just a...
OriginFrance
RegionRoussillon
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75
CodeMCR419
GrapeGrenache, Syrah & Mourvedre
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A tiny production wine - which translates as The Dark Side - from 80% Syrah and 20% Mourvèdre,...
OriginFrance
RegionLanguedoc-Roussillon
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
CodePEG419
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Domaine Pegaline, Pic Saint-Loup, L'Elementaire, 2019
Medium Bodied
50% Syrah, 20% of each of Grenache and Mourvèdre and 10% Cinsault. So instantly classy is this...
OriginFrance
RegionLanguedoc-Roussillon
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
CodePEG319
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Named after the cistus or rock rose, the pretty shrub which dots the hillsides, a blend of 70%...
OriginFrance
RegionFaugeres
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Magnum150cl
CodeLIQ918
GrapeSyrah & Mourvedre
Named after the cistus or rock rose, the pretty shrub which dots the hillsides, a blend of 70%...
OriginFrance
RegionFaugeres
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Bottle3L
CodeLIQ814
GrapeSyrah & Mourvedre
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This is from a vineyard planted on some of their highest land about forty years ago; a blend of...
OriginFrance
RegionLanguedoc-Roussillon
ColourWhite
ABV13%
Bottle75
CodeLIQ620
GrapeRousanne, Granache Blanc & Marsanne
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Chateau de la Liquiere, Faugeres Rouge, 2019
Medium bodied
The estate’s principal wine, an unoaked, life-enhancing blend of Grenache and Syrah with a...
OriginFrance
RegionFaugeres
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Bottle75
CodeLIQ119
GrapeGrenache, Syrah & Mourvedre
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Named after the cistus or rock rose, the pretty shrub which dots the hillsides, a blend of 70%...
OriginFrance
RegionLanguedoc-Roussillon
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeLIQ318
GrapeSyrah & Mourvedre
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Intriguing scent of ripe citrus - tangerines, with a note of dried peel. This shows true...
OriginFrance
ColourWhite
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeAGA620
GrapeMarsanne
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Naos is a Greek temple or shrine. The Pinot family who run this Château in the Vallée de...
OriginFrance
RegionProvence
ColourRosé
ABV12%
Bottle150cl
CodeCFL920
GrapeGrenache
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We tasted the extensive Léoube range before settling on this, their principal wine. The estate...
OriginFrance
RegionProvence
ColourRosé
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeLEO520
GrapeGrenache, Cinsault & Syrah
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We tasted the extensive Léoube range before settling on this, their principal wine. The estate...
OriginFrance
RegionProvence
ColourRosé
ABV13%
Bottle150cl
CodeLEO920
GrapeGrenache, Cinsault & Syrah
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Sasha Lichine, a Bordelais, bought the estate of Esclans, north-east of St. Tropez, in 2006...
OriginFrance
RegionProvence
ColourRosé
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeESC519
GrapeGrenache & Rolle
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When Sasha Lichine bought Esclans is was with the avowed intention of making the world’s...
OriginFrance
RegionProvence
ColourRosé
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeGAR519
GrapeGrenache & Rolle
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"Racy and delicate. Complete and everything absolutely in the right place. Obviously Côte...
OriginFrance
RegionBurgundy
ColourWhite
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodePAQ217
GrapeChardonnay
From 60+ year old vines on a well drained steep slope, east-facing and very close to Beaune,...
OriginFrance
RegionBurgundy
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeGUI316
GrapePinot Noir
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Chateau Les Combes, Lussac-Saint-Emilion, 2016
Medium Bodied
From one 4.8 hectare plot with thin soils over limestone, among the highest in the...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeGRC416
GrapeMerlot
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The Maury’s Vermentino (a grape also known as Rolle in Provence) has become one of our...
OriginFrance
RegionPays d'Oc
ColourWhite
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeCSP220
GrapeVermentino
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Les Chapelières, Comté Tolosan, IGP, 2019
Dry, Crisp
A best-seller, an easy drinking blend of 70% Colombard and 30% Ugni Blanc, with lowish alcohol...
OriginFrance
RegionSouth-West
ColourWhite
ABV11.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeAGW319
GrapeUgni Blanc, Colombard
From dry-farmed, bush vines, mainly in the Paardeberg and Riebeek Valley, slowly fermented,...
OriginSouth Africa
RegionWestern Cape
ColourWhite
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeFAB119
GrapeChenin Blanc
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Always our benchmark wine at this estate - this is the 17th continuous vintage we have shipped....
OriginSouth Africa
RegionCederberg
ColourWhite
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeCED119
GrapeChenin Blanc
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Honest Loire SB at a fair price. Surprisingly tropical aroma. From the second hot vintage in a...
OriginFrance
RegionLoire
ColourWhite
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeAUM319
GrapeSauvignon Blanc
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From the Orosquette family, named after two once tiny and now strapping cousins in their 20s,...
OriginFrance
RegionLanguedoc
ColourRed
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeGRV118
GrapeGrenache & Syrah
Terroirs Of The Beautiful South
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A mixed case including one bottle of each of the twelve wines listed (four whites, two rosés...
CodeBS221
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Rosés of the Beautiful South
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A mixed case including two bottles of each of the six rosé wines listed, with a discount of at...
CodeBS421
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Grand Rouges Du Sud
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A mixed case of two bottles of each of the six red wines listed, with a discount of 15% off...
CodeBS621
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Spring Australian Shiraz Case
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Including four bottles of three wines.
CodeSSH221
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Languedoc Roussillon Reds
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A mixed case of two bottles of each of the six red wines listed, with a discount of at least...
CodeBS521
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£10Gift Voucher
£20Gift Voucher
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Finca La Solana, Monastrell, Seleccion Especial, 2018
Medium Bodied
Monastrell given about four months in old barrels, mainly American, giving distinctively...
OriginSpain
RegionJumilla
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeLUZ317
GrapeMonastrell
From a single vineyard, a high cool site in cleared forest in the Upper Yarra. Greater density...
OriginAustralia
RegionYarra Valley
ColourWhite
ABV13.3%
Bottle75cl
CodeHOD316
GrapeChardonnay
100% Pinot Noir - and no barrel ageing. Lightly sherberty scent; this barely shows its red...
OriginUK
RegionHampshire
ColourWhite
ABV11.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeEXT4NV
GrapePinot Noir
From 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Pinot Meunier. Very pale and slightly coppery. Light red fruit -...
OriginUK
RegionHampshire
ColourRosé
ABV11.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeEXT5NV
GrapePinot Noir & Pinot Meunier
A perfect, palate-stimulating balance of ripe peach and apricot flavours, and steely citric...
OriginAustralia
RegionAdelaide Hills
ColourWhite
ABV11%
Bottle75cl
CodeASH617
GrapeRiesling
100% Pinot Noir from the famed estate's own grapes, from a very cool vintage perfect for...
OriginAustralia
RegionAdelaide Hills
ColourWhite
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeASH811
GrapePinot Noir
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Juicy, unfiltered blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah: raspberryish mouthful, mildly spicy...
OriginFrance
RegionRhone
ColourRed
ABV15%
Bottle75cl
CodeESZ119
GrapeGrenache, Cinsault & Syrah
Vega del Rayo, Rioja, Vendimia Seleccionada, 2017
Medium Bodied
A blend of about 95% Tempranillo and 5% Mazuelo, a cheerful, oaked (American and Russian)...
OriginSpain
RegionRioja
ColourRed
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeVEG217
GrapeTempranillo
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El Lagar de Isilla, Ribera Del Duero, Roble, 2018
Medium Bodied
A best-seller here, 95% Tempranillo with 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, given precisely 122 days (it...
OriginSpain
RegionRibera Del Duero
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeLAH118
GrapeTempranillo
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100% Tempranillo, including some parcels 80-90 years old; in French barrels for 18 months....
OriginSpain
RegionRibera Del Duero
ColourRed
ABV15%
Bottle75cl
CodeLAH314
GrapeTempranillo
Fryer's Cove, Pinot Noir, Bamboes Bay, 2017
Medium Bodied
Attractive, soft ruby tone; pretty cherry and lightly floral aromas. Supple, pleasingly fleshy...
OriginSouth Africa
RegionWestern Cape
ColourRed
ABV12.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeFRY617
GrapePinot Noir
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Carinae, Malbec, Harmonie, Mendoza, 2016
Medium, Full Bodied
Very deep and inky. Lovely open perfume of cherries, berries and vanilla. With silky, classy,...
OriginArgentina
RegionMendoza
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeCAE216
GrapeMalbec
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This is the latest vintage of one of our staples at SVS: about 50% Carignan, with 35% Grenache...
OriginFrance
RegionLanguedoc
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeDGA218
GrapeCarignan, Grenache & Mourvedre
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92% Tempranillo from 50-70 year old vines, with Cabernet and Merlot, given fourteen months in...
OriginSpain
RegionRibera Del Duero
ColourRed
ABV15%
Bottle75cl
CodeLAH416
GrapeTempranillo
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Badenhorst Family Red, Swartland, 2017
Full Bodied
Lovely old-fashioned methods: early picked grapes for freshness, whole bunches foot-trodden for...
OriginSouth Africa
RegionCoastal
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeBAD817
GrapeSyrah/Shiraz Blend
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Badenhorst, Secateurs Red, Swartland, 2019
Light-Medium Bodied
Over the years this has changed from being a chunky blend based on Syrah to a more graceful one...
OriginSouth Africa
RegionSwartland
ColourRed
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeBAD619
GrapeCinsault blend
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Domaine Fontanel, Côtes du Roussillon, Rouge, Initium, 2017
Medium Full Bodied
From Syrah, Grenache and Carignan grown on schist near Maury, unoaked, this is a classic...
OriginFrance
RegionRoussillon
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeFON117
GrapeSyrah, Grenache & Carignan
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Conviviale, Primitivo, Salento, 2018
Medium bodied
Gutsy grape of Croatian origin (aka Tribidrag), genetically identical to Zinfandel. Bittersweet...
OriginItaly
RegionPuglia
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeCNV118
GrapePrimitivo
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False Bay, Pinotage, Western Cape, 2018
Medium Bodied
Plum coloured. High-toned scent of berries. Bittersweet raspberry and bilberry fruit, bold and...
OriginSouth Africa
RegionWestern Cape
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeFAB818
GrapePinotage
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Gruff M. Perromat’s top wine, from about 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeBDU616
GrapeMerlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Petit Verdot
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Domaine Montangeron, Chiroubles, La Grosse Pierre, 2018
Light, medium bodied
Very ripe fruit - raspberries, redcurrants and fraises des bois, so deliciously summer...
OriginFrance
RegionBeaujolais
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeMON318
GrapeGamay
Château La Plaige, Bordeaux Supérieur, 2017
Medium Bodied
Charmingly labelled wine - which we have shipped many times before. It's a blend of 60%...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodePLA117
GrapeMerlot & Cabernet Sauvignon
An extremely popular wine from the north west of Italy. Open and simple citrus scent. Lightly...
OriginItaly
RegionVeneto
ColourWhite
ABV12%
Bottle75cl
CodePRI119
GrapePinot Gris
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A perennial, organic favourite which makes a lovely aperitif but can also be drunk with a wide...
OriginFrance
RegionAlsace
ColourWhite
ABV12.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeMEY119
GrapePinot Blanc
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From vines on the slopes above Milly, on pure white hard chalk soils. Always creamy but with...
OriginFrance
RegionBurgundy
ColourWhite
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeELS218
GrapeChardonnay
Sited on the rocky slopes above the Montrachets, this is rightly considered one of the top...
OriginFrance
RegionBurgundy
ColourWhite
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeCLB416
GrapeChardonnay
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From 60 year old ungrafted vines growing on this brutally steep, red slate vineyard. Delicious...
OriginGermany
RegionMosel
ColourWhite
ABV8%
Bottle75cl
CodeDRL218
GrapeRiesling
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Not bone dry, but a very well-made bottle of crisp, grapefruity Riesling: perfect for...
OriginGermany
RegionPfalz
ColourWhite
ABV12%
Bottle75cl
CodeWOL118
GrapeRiesling
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The latest vintage of this Loire classic from the Cherrier family in Verdigny is as crisp and...
OriginFrance
RegionLoire
ColourWhite
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeROS119
GrapeSauvignon Blanc
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Here there's a perfect balance between the classic rose-petal aromatics, exotic fruit and...
OriginFrance
RegionAlsace
ColourWhite
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeMEY318
GrapeGewurztraminer
