'Kai' Paraschos 2022
Artisanal"Kai" is a Friulano from Collio with great personality and structure, born from ancient 80-year-old vines rooted in the classic marl soil of Friuli, known as "ponka". On the nose, intense aromas of honey, beeswax, canned fruit, and sweet spices accompany a full-bodied and articulated sip, enveloped by intense freshness and a pleasant tannic grip.
The Kai by Paraschos is a three-dimensional and eclectic white wine that combines a rich structure with a slight tannic friction. One of the most representative whites from the Paraschos estate, although each has its rooted identity. The Kai, however, is a testament to Friulano outside the box and preconceptions, and given the strong emotional bond between the locals and this variety, this expression is particularly engaging. The Paraschos family owns a few hectares of vineyard in Collio, the ideal border between Italy and Slovenia, and since 2003 has abandoned the use of any chemical or synthetic substances in the vineyard. In the cellar, the same approach is taken, making the concept of terroir tangible and above all drinkable. Multifaceted and above all alive creatures, without this affecting the definition or stability of the liquids. Experiential.
The Paraschos Kai is made from pure Friulano grapes, sourced from the ancient Gradiscutta and Lucinico vineyards, which are about 80 years old and rest on the classic local soil known as Ponka, composed of marls and clays. If the vines are cultivated without the aid of chemicals and harvested by hand, in the cellar the process continues with spontaneous alcoholic fermentation in oak vats and maceration on the skins for 2 days. The liquid ages for 36 months in large oak barrels and is bottled without undergoing filtration or the addition of sulfur dioxide.
The Friulano Kai illuminates the glass with its extremely vibrant golden hue. The nose, almost stunning in complexity, is a whirlwind of ripe fruit, wildflower honey, briny breezes, and wild herbs. On the palate, as is always the case with Alexis's wines, it does not hide its richness but possesses the innate gift of drinkability, granted by a refined saline texture as well as a delicate tannic friction. Histrionic nectar.