BLACK LAMB + KABAJ: GHOST RIDER

GHOST RIDER - 2009 (Tocai Friulano, Rebula, Malvazija)

The local white grapes of Goriška Brda have grown across the hills interplanted with the many other fruits that thrive in the region's ideal conditions for centuries or more. We know the wines were favored but we don't know much about what they tasted like. There are stories, and old memories, but to understand what these wines were like it is best to try and replicate them.

This strange and wonderful libation is a collaboration between KABAJ and Black Lamb to rediscover the historical fashion of Goriška Brda wines. Most prominent among the local varieties are the white Tokaj (Sauvignonasse, Green Sauvignon, Friulano), Rebula and the slightly less local Malvazija. The wines would have been vinified in old barrels sometimes only partially filled. They likely harvested grapes late in the season and as ripe as possible. Maceration of white grapes has historically been practiced, this gives the wines a certain degree of resistance to negative effects of oxidation. Ghost Rider 2009 was macerated with the skins 1 year in Georgian qvevri. 2 years in used French oak.  Bottled in 2012. No sulfur. Honey, umami, earth, esoteric. It is a rarity and a memorable experience. Try with oysters, lamb or dandelions.