Tomac Pinot Noir 2015

Ideally drink now through 2022

The Tomac Pinot Crni (Crni translates to black in English, just like the French word noir, i.e. Pinot Noir) is made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes grown on the Tomac estate. A light, gentle, and Burgundian style of Pinot, this wine begins with aromas of strawberry, wood moss, and a touch of toast. On the palate, deeper notes of earthy spice, licorice, and wet leaves lead into soft, fine grained tannins and a juicy, raspberry tinged finish. Purity of fruit and precision of flavor enhance this excellent example of high quality Croatian Pinot Noir.

Relatively light in body, the Tomac Pinot Crni would pair exceptionally well with a lightly herbed roast chicken, a fresh tomato tart with herbed chevre, or a pasta topped with mushroom veal sauce.

Tomislav Tomac, the winemaker for his namesake Tomac Winery, is a huge proponent of the qvevre style of winemaking perfected by the white wine-makers of Georgia. This style involves burying wine in large clay amphora underground for extended aging. While usually reserved for white wine, Tomislav has taken this a step further and has begun fermenting some reds, including this Tomac Pinot Crni, in amphora, before letting them age in large neutral oak casks. Tomislav also believes in using only native yeasts during fermentation, leading to wines that are unique and terroir driven.