Milan Nestarec Umami

Vintage: 2019

Origin: Moravia, Czech Republic 

Grapes: Red Traminer, Gewurztraminer

Alcohol: 15%

The best wines produced by Milan Nestarec are his white labels; they represent the height of his talent. They are all from his oldest vines, most intriguing micro-locations, and frequently field blends. With the gentlest handling and several years of undisturbed ageing in his cellar, this special energy is kept.

In order to complement Asian cuisine, which Milan and his wife adore, Umami was created in 2017. Red and Gewurztraminer, both from the Achtele vineyard, are combined to create this wine. A natural amphitheatre formed by the vineyard's historic location causes reduced airflow and a tendency for botrytis in the lowest half of the vineyard. The upper half, on the other hand, ripens more gradually. Milan makes an effort to maintain this contrast in the wine, which results in an unexpected combination of opulent aromas and razor-sharp acidity that begs for more exploration.

In Bilovice, Milan had a wonderful year in 2019. With "normal" temperatures and rainfall, the weather was fairly consistent. Plenty of sunshine, no hail, and enough water during the ripening process. Milan didn't have to work the soil at all due to the balanced weather, and this, together with leaf care that was specifically adapted to each site's requirements, helped to maintain a stable pH. The grapes ripened in perfect harmony as a result of the apex remaining intact, allowing the vines to grow organically and unhindered by biochemical processes. Excellent acid structure and slower ripening were brought about by variations in day and nighttime temperatures. This allowed Milan and his team to take their time and be as accurate and focused as possible throughout harvest, with hand-sorting and substantially lengthier pressing periods. A wonderful, balanced, and mindful vintage overall, 2019 was a welcome change from the scorching and over-generous 2018 vintage.