Marinov Babic 2020

Grape	Babić
Producer	Neno Marinov
Region	Primošten, Northern Dalmatia, Croatia
Vintage	2020
Farming	Organic, hand-worked, no irrigation
Vineyard	2 ha, suhozid dry-stone terraces
Style	Medium-full red, earthy

An old-school grower near the town of Primošten, Neno Marinov works his 2 hectares of vineyards by hand the same way his father taught him — exactly as the Babić grape demands, in the small dry-stone compartments called suhozid that have defined this landscape for centuries.

The Producer — Neno Marinov, Primošten

Only metres above sea level, the local Babić grape is planted in compartments of 3–4 plants each, enclosed by the ancient dry-stone walls that retain enough water to help the vines survive the fierce summer sun. Organic farming. No irrigation. Two hectares. Everything done by hand. The funky, earthy label reflects the personality of the man and the wine.

Tasting Notes

Medium-to-full-bodied with fine-grained tannins. Earthy and savoury — a mix of herbs and soil with an overripe strawberry core. Finishes with the fruit and herbs, with a wispy yet persistent dry grassiness that is entirely its own. This is the honest, unfussy, old-school Babić that Primošten has always made.

How to Serve

Serve at 16–17°C. No need to decant. Open, pour, eat. That is the Marinov spirit.

Food Pairing

Grilled lamb chops, roast pork, octopus under the peka (the traditional Dalmatian slow-cook method), hard cheese, cured meats. Simple, great food for a wine made the same way.

Learn more: Croatian natural wine — the complete guide