Dva Duby, Impera Dolni Kounice Moravia 2018

Jiri Sebela’s Impera is 70% St Laurent & 30% Blaufrankisch from Dolni Kounice, small town on Southern Moravia (close to the border with Austria) which has a long history of grape growing. It is aged for a year in a combination of used oak and acacia barrels. Low intervention is the name of the game. Spontaneous fermentation, and no additives, except for a judicious sprinkling of Sulphites before bottling (really, tiny amounts).

Dva Duby winery is led by head winemaker Jiri Sebela based in Dolni Kounice, a small town in Southern Moravia (close to the border with Austria). The area has been renowne for its unique vineyards producing excellent red wines since medieval times. Blaufrankisch dominates plantings (also called Lemberger or Frankovka). Vineyards are planted on the hills lining the river Jihlava  The vineyards are based on Granodiorite, volcanic stone which is the essence of the local terroir. It’s dates back to the pre Cambrian age (700 million years old). Much older than Bordeaux, much older than Burgundy. This solid rock is present in all vineyards in various depths. It  averages a depth of 2,5 metres, but in some places it’s just 40 centimetres. This terroir gives volcanic reds of real intensity, trademark savoury notes, minerality and supple acidity. Complex but light-footed at the same time.