Guerila Wines

Guerila Castra Brut Nature 2016 This ‘methode traditional’ sparkling blend of local grapes (Zalen, Pinela and Rebula (Friuli’s Rebolla) has no added sulphite preservatives. Leads with honeyed characters in a fine texture and crisp finish. The mousse has particularly fine bubbles.

Guerila Zelen 2018 13% Made in stainless steel with natural yeast ferment this wine offers herbal aromas, a medium body with mineral flavors and a slick, fine finish. 16/20

Guerila Pinela 2018 13% Made in stainless steel with natural yeast ferment then aged for two months in concrete tanks. Compared to Zelen it is spicier with floral aromas, finer bodied and crisper. Linear styled. 16.5/20

Guerila Malvasia 2018 14.5% Made in stainless steel with natural yeast fermention. Floral with hints of fresh Muscat grapes and a touch of spirity alcoho. Condensed mineral notes on palate, firm fine tannins and acidity. This is a trickster of a wine, suggesting florally sweetness from the aromas, then zapping the tastebuds with zingy acidity and a bone dry finish. 16.5/20

Guerila Rebula Selection 2017 11.5% Made from same grape as Friuli’s Rebolla. From a wet, cooler year, this was spontaneously fermented using wild yeasts in 2,000 litre barrels with one week skin contact. Bright and lightly colored for this style of wine. It opens with orange blossom and tea aromas and flavors, nicely structured with fine tannins through its finish. This is a distinctively lighter, finer style of traditional ‘skin contact’ made Rebula. Elegant, refined and exciting, all of which makes for a very interesting style. 17/20

Guerila Retro Selection 2017 12.5% This is a traditional field blend style known as Vipavek (wine of the farmer). An equal part blend of malvasia, rebula, pinela, Zalen, all collected on same day and co-fermented with 10 day skin contacted, then aged in 2,000 litre for a year. Leading with very fine mineral aromas, a nose that is both subtle and poised. Slick, condensed and continuous in the mouth with a long finish marked by very fine-grained, skin tannins and perfectly balanced acidity. A refined wine, distinctively styled. 17.5/20

Guerila Rebula Extreme 2016 12.5% A single vineyard wine, Minza, planted with a massal selection (high clonal variation) from grandfather’s original vineyard. Only made in some years. It is treated to 45 days of skin contact and matures for two years in 2,000 litre barrels. Full of tea and orange blossom aromas and flavors. Relatively poised on the nose, it is super concentrated in the mouth both explosive and expansive at mid-palate. Structured with firm, but fine skin tannins that needle the lips. A refined version of this region’s traditional grapes. Very much a white wine made for red wine drinkers with a high degree of masculine elegance. 18.5/20

Guerila Rebula Amphora 2016 12.5% A single vineyard wine, Minza, planted with a massal selection (high clonal variation) from grandfather’s original vineyard. Only made in some years. It is treated to 45 days of skin contact and matures for two years in 2,000 litre barrels. Essentially same as ‘Extreme’ but made in amphora. After six months skin contact it is pressed, then returns to amphora for two years. Full of fig, tea and orange skin aromas. Well balanced but strong. Condensed in the mouth, intense flavors echo aromas infusing textures, counterpointed with firm skin tannins and acidity. A classic wine style from this region dating back to Roman times. 17/20

Guerila Rebula Amphora 2018 12.5% An unbottled sample, directly from amphora. Much more floral than 2016 version with pronounced aromas (fig, tea and orange zest). Fresher. Fleshier and rounder in mouth, tannins are more tucked in and acidity more up front and present. Expansive. 17.5/20

Guerila Barbera Selection 2016 13.5% Made in 2,000 litre barrels. Offers up meaty, salami, red fruit aromas, with spirity, tart cherry flavors and a long, tart, puckery finish. Very pure Barbera varietal characters. 16.5/20

Guerila Barbera 2018 Absolutely delicious from first sip. Mouthwateringly juicy red fruits that glide down the throat… so easy, so smooth and then refreshingly tart red cherry flavors wash it all away ready for the next swig. 17/20

Guerila Cabernet Franc Selection 2017 11.5% Oops, can’t find any notes for this one, but like the idea a lot.

Guerila Cuba 2015 14% A blend of Merlot with Barbera, now replaced by newer Retro. Broadly floral, spicy red fruit aromas and sweet red fruit flavors. Finely textured, it has relatively good length. 15/20

Guerila Retro Selection 2016 14.5% A blend Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Barbera. Spirity, spicy aromas and flavors, a mix of red and black fruited characters. A tightly knit, linear style with tart acidity and lovely purity. 16/20

Guerila Extreme Barbera Amphora 2016 15% Nicely rounded red fruit, cherry aromas. Soft and silky on entry, laced with red cherry flavors that carry through a very fine, high acid finish. 17/20