2020 Saints Hills Plavac Mali 'Black'

100% Plavac Mali from two vineyards in the Dingac region of the Pelješac peninsula. The vines average 13 years old and are planted on red limestone quartz soil.  Aged partially in big wooden vats, partially in concrete, and partially in barriques. 

Full bodied and dry. The nose is full of rich fruity aromas of plum, followed by aromas of Mediterranean spices like thyme and oregano. The texture is complex, layered with fine aromas of vanilla and dark chocolate, plums, figs, and earth. The finish is long, with notes of berry fruit and black pepper.

Saints Hills Winery is a project built out of passion, by the husband and wife team of Ernest and Ivana Tolj.  Native to Dalmatia’s Adriatic coast, neither were born into winemaking families, but their love of wine and entrepreneurial spirit has led to the creation of a premium brand with vineyards in both Istria and Dalmatia, and has resulted in wine becoming an integral part of their lives. Superb locations are one of the secrets behind their high quality wines, including their Sv. Lucia vineyard in Dingac - Croatia’s first appellation and the ultimate terroir for growing Dalmatia’s flagship red, the Plavac Mali grape.  Low yield vines, very steep terrain, triple insolation (sun, sea, and stone), and quartz rich soil, combined with cooling sea breezes create the perfect Dalmatian micro-climate for Croatia’s indigenous varietals. Their quest for perfection, also led to a partnership with world renowned oenologist Michel Rolland who remains an integral part of the winemaking team.  With his guidance and influence they continue to modernize and innovate, and are one of a relatively small number of wineries in the region to use concrete fairly extensively in their cellars, both in the production of their whites and rosé, but also in select reds to maintain freshness.