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Loved by 4 members Merlot bottle image

Wine No 1 from Orbit Collection

Santei

Merlot 2020

Primorska Slovenija

  • red
  • with food
  • fresh
  • fruity

Character-wise, this wine is a tightrope walker. Yes, it has the structure and fruitiness of a Merlot, but with a distinct acidity that makes it beautifully balanced. It will probably age very well, but at the rate we’re drinking it, we’ll never know. And we’re not exactly sorry about that.

$45.00

in stock 10% off for members

I'm a nerd, I want every detail

Santei’s winemaker, Matej, crafts exclusively natural wines, but that doesn’t mean he leaves things to chance. He operates more like a curious scientist: experimenting with a vast range of grapes, from Slovenia’s native varieties to international icons like Merlot. His relentless exploration of blends and vinification methods produces singular, pretty much always delicious wines, including this 100% Merlot, with its deeply seductive freshness. 

 

The craft

 

  • 10-day maceration.

  • 12-month aging in Slovenian oak barrels.

  • 12-month aging in steel vats.

  • 14% ABV.

  • Lifespan: up to 15 years.

 

The occasion

 

This is a wine that deserves to be paired with food. Think red meat, caramelized root vegetables or Camembert.

 

The winemaker

Sandra & Matej Bizjak

SANdra and MaTEI created SANTEI. Two wine-loving free thinkers, who gave up their careers in multinational corporations to pursue their dream and become wine growers/makers. Once they settled in a small farm close to the Italian border, ideas started flowing and an ambitious vision materialized: to farm their unique terroir with total respect for nature in order to develop organic, natural and unforgettable wine experiences. Why take such a big step if it's not to do the best you can.  The hard work began without attending any class, just relentless experimentation - no shortcut, no quick fixes, just making original wines that they can stand fully behind. Such a combination of hard work and talent rarely fails. Then they added spirits. Santei wines and spirits is a labor of love.

A photo of Sandra & Matej Bizjak

All wines from collection No 2

Wine bottles in the Lift Off collection.

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