So much for Italians and their shortcuts.
continued here. Notes follow:
Bjana 2002 Brut (Gorika Brda) An intriguing blend of rebula and chardonnay. Alas that the wine does not live up to the intrigue (and in any case, Id need some convincing that rebula is a good grape for sparkling wine production). Very lightly sweet with somewhat obvious fruit. Fizzy, pleasant, big, and unrefined. Not even really a brawlermore of an oaf. But a friendly one.
Blaič 2006 Rebula (Gorika Brda) Useless at first sniff, but with air grows fuller and waxier, showing a good measure of dry honey. However, oak masks whatever fruit this wine possesses, and the underlying grapes arent ripe enough to support this level of wood layering (though I dont know that Id like the result of the alternative much more). Id like this particular wine a lot more without the wood, Id wager.
Santomas 2002 Refok Antonius (Sergae) Buttery, and a touch stewed as well. Rough red fruit (cherry, strawberry) and some hewn-then-charred wood, though the wines overall demeanor is not particularly wood-dominated or wood-influenced. Easy drinking, for sure, but it lacks polish and, more importantly, the full realization of its potential.