Barbba - 2021
Vinas Mora
- Region
- Croatia » Primošten
- Type
- red still, dry
- Producer
- Vinas Mora
- Vintage
- 2021
- Grapes
- Plavina, Lasina, Debit, Maraština
- Alcohol
- 11.5
- Sugar
- 3.3
- Volume
- 750 mL
- Cellar
- not available
Originating from the Primošten region, Barbba (uncle in Dalmatian dialect) is a deliberate blend of red and white indigenous Croatian grapes. It utilizes the depth and structure of the red Lasina and Plavina grapes. Complementing this is white Maraština and Debit grapes, adding an intriguing aromatic profile to the mix.
A portion of the wine (~35%) undergoes a short maceration of a few hours (~7 hours), enhancing its freshness and aromatic intensity. In contrast, the remainder benefits from an extended skin contact of several days (~3 days), imparting greater structure and depth of color.
The wine undergoes spontaneous fermentation in open 1000-liter vats, without the addition of commercial yeasts, preserving the natural essence and unique terroir of the region. The refinement process takes place in used wooden barrels, which imbue the wine with subtle oaky undertones without overpowering the grape's natural flavors.
Ratings
The nose kicks off with a moderate dose of funk, laying down a quirky backdrop for cherries, red currant, and a berry compote to jam along. A hint of earth and a light funky (bretty?) touch add a gritty edge to this aromatic gig. Barbba carries a medium-light body, keeping the scene breezy. It's fresh, easy-going, and doesn’t overstay its welcome.
Vinas Mora
Vinas Mora, situated on the picturesque coast of Croatia near the town of Primošten, is a remarkable winery that has quickly made its mark in the viticulture realm. The name 'Vinas Mora' encapsulates the essence of its location, translating to 'wines from the sea,' a poetic nod to its close proximity to the Adriatic Sea. This venture was born from the collaborative passion of three Croatian natural wine pioneers - Krešo Petreković, Niko Dukan, and Neno Marinov, who aimed to celebrate and showcase the unique terroir of the Primošten area through natural winemaking.
The winery operates with a focus on working closely with local growers, purchasing their grapes and producing natural wines that echo the distinctiveness of the Dalmatian Coast. While it pays homage to several local grape varieties, Vinas Mora has a particular fondness for the indigenous Babić grape variety, which thrives in the local terroir. The aim is not only to produce exquisite wines but also to revive and underscore the winemaking potential of the Dalmatian Coast, rendering a fresh narrative to Croatian wines on the global stage3.
Vinas Mora is a true embodiment of a cooperative spirit blended with artisanal winemaking finesse. The founders are avid supporters of organic farming, a practice that is well-aligned with the region's climate, characterized by low rainfall, dry and windy conditions, making synthetic sprays and artificial fertilizers unnecessary. The vineyards, nestled in extremely rocky and hardly accessible terrain, have seen a remarkable transformation through manual clearing and the building of dry-stone walls by locals to separate tiny plots, each housing three to four plants. The primary soil is a red sand or crvenica (known as terra rossa in Carso), which is hard and tight, with very little humus but a clay component that helps retain moisture during the long, hot, and dry Mediterranean summers.
In terms of vinification, Vinas Mora maintains a consistent process across their range of cuvées, emphasizing hand-picking of grapes, short maceration periods, and minimal intervention to preserve the primary aromas of the wines. The base cuvée, named Barbba, is a blend of local white and red grapes, embodying an easy-drinking yet palatable character. Other cuvées like Andreis and Kaamen series pay homage to the rich heritage and the varying terroir quality of the region, each crafted meticulously to reflect the uniqueness of the vineyard sites they originate from6. Through Vinas Mora, the founders are crafting not merely exquisite wines but a compelling narrative that intertwines the rich heritage, rugged beauty of the Dalmatian coast, and the indomitable spirit of the local winegrowing community.