Schumacher No.1 Cuve Red 2018

Producer – Schumacher Selection

Schumacher Selection created the Schumacher wine range through a collaboration with Klet Brda Winery in Slovenia.

According to Schumacher Selection, the relationship began after discovering the wines of Klet Brda while searching for wines for the Schumachers restaurant in Germany. This eventually developed into the premium Schumacher Selection wine range.

The wines come from Goriška Brda, one of Slovenia’s important wine regions. Its hilly landscape and distinctive soils help produce wines with freshness, minerality and strong varietal character.

Schumacher No.1 Cuvée Red 2018

Schumacher No.1 Cuvée Red 2018 is a premium red blend from Goriška Brda, Slovenia.

The producer blends three classic Bordeaux varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The aim is to combine clear varietal aromas with the mineral character of the Brda terroir.

Moreover, the wine spends a substantial period in small oak barrels. Therefore, it combines ripe fruit with spice, cocoa and dark chocolate notes.

Grape Varieties

The blend consists of:

• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Merlot
• Cabernet Franc

Cabernet Sauvignon provides structure and depth. Meanwhile, Merlot adds ripe fruit and softness. Cabernet Franc contributes freshness, aromatic complexity and spice.

Vinification & Maturation

The producer gives a clear ageing specification for the 2018 Schumacher No.1.

Ageing: 24 months in selected 225-litre oak barrels.

This extended oak maturation adds complexity to the wine. In addition, it develops notes of vanilla, cocoa and dark chocolate.

At the same time, the wine retains the fruit and mineral character of Goriška Brda.

Tasting Notes

Colour: Deep ruby red with mature reflections.

Nose: Sour cherry, plum jam and candied orange with peppermint and black pepper.

Palate: Full-bodied, rich and balanced with ripe fruit and Mediterranean spice.

Oak notes: Vanilla, cocoa, dark chocolate and toasted bread.

Finish: Long, refined and velvety.

The producer specifically highlights candied orange, sour cherry and plum jam. Furthermore, the wine develops herbal notes of peppermint, black pepper and Mediterranean spices.

With time in the glass, deeper aromas emerge. These include vanilla, cocoa, dark chocolate and toasted wholegrain bread.

91 Points – Decanter World Wine Awards 🥈

Schumacher No.1 2018 received 91 points and a Silver Medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2021.

This is an excellent selling point for the product page. Therefore, I would display:

91 POINTS – DECANTER WORLD WINE AWARDS 2021

SILVER MEDAL

close to the top of the Urbanbee product description.

Food Pairings

Schumacher No.1 Cuvée Red 2018 pairs particularly well with:

• Beef fillet
• Roast beef
• Veal
• Venison
• Wild game
• Duck
• Mushroom dishes
• Truffle dishes
• Mature cheeses

Its combination of ripe fruit, oak and spice works particularly well with meat. Moreover, mature 2018 fruit makes it suitable for richer mushroom and game dishes.

Veal, poultry, game and mushrooms are also listed as recommended pairings for this wine.

Style and Character

Schumacher No.1 Cuvée Red 2018 is a serious and structured Slovenian red.

First, the blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc provides depth and complexity. Meanwhile, Goriška Brda gives the wine its regional identity.

Furthermore, 24 months in 225-litre oak barrels adds another layer of complexity. As a result, ripe cherry and plum combine with pepper, herbs, vanilla, cocoa and dark chocolate.

The wine also has several years of bottle development. Therefore, the 2018 vintage now offers an attractive combination of mature fruit and oak complexity.

Overall, Schumacher No.1 Cuvée Red 2018 is a premium Slovenian red with impressive depth, a long velvety finish and the added recognition of 91 Decanter points.