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Kabaj, Merlot Goriska Brda Red, 2015

Red Wine from Slovenia, Slovenia
by Kabaj

$41.99

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Kabaj’s 2015 Merlot from Goriška Brda is proof that world-class red wine doesn’t just come from Bordeaux or Napa. Grown just across the border from Italy’s Collio region, this is structured, savory Merlot that combines international polish with real Slovenian character.

The wine opens with dark cherry, plum, graphite, and forest herbs, but it’s the texture and balance that make it special. There’s firm, fine-grained tannin, a gentle grip, and just enough acidity to keep it fresh and cellar-worthy. The 2015 vintage has had time to stretch out, and it’s now entering a perfect drinking window—complex, grounded, and seriously food-friendly.

Kabaj is known for their skin-contact whites, but their reds are just as compelling—Bordeaux in structure, but with a wild-streaked edge that makes them totally distinct. Aged in French oak and bottled without flash, this Merlot is more about earth and elegance than fruit and fluff.

Perfect with grilled meats, roasted mushrooms, or any dish that plays on earth, depth, and umami

YOUR DELIVERY OPTIONS:

  • Same Day Delivery - Call us at (212) 477-1315 for more details.



Kabaj

When asked how he makes his wines, Jean Michel Morel of Kabaj responded: "Who cares? Do you like the wine?"

Not quite what you would expect from a Bordelais with an enology degree. Prodding only gets you answers like "Wine is art", "Wine is food", "Wine is history". Eventually you just start drinking; it's what he wanted in the first place.

You start to see his point. Why pull back the curtain and ruin the magic with talk of macerations, presses, racking and barrels?

And who needs it, the script is a great one: Jean Michel met and fell in love Katja Kabaj working a vineyard in Friuli. Her family owned vines over the border in Brda, Slovenia. After marrying they convinced Katja's father to stop selling grapes to the co-op and in 1993 they made their first vintage.

Jean Michel's second love are the orange wines of his neighbor Gravner. To master his magic tricks he went straight to the source: Shavnabada, a 12th century monastery in the Republic of Georgia, with a bit of experience making orange wine. All of his wines are now made with skin contact, combining ancient and modern techniques. Skins are utilized to highlight the varietal and terroir -- tannins are never the focus just another structural element of a very complete wine.

It honestly doesn't matter how he does it. The answer to to Jean Michels second question is a resounding: Yes. I do like the wine!

Details

  • Grape Variety

    Merlot

  • Vintage

    2015

  • Size

    750ml

  • Farming Practice

    Organic

  • Sweetness

    Dry

  • Body

    Medium Bodied

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