2015BibichDebit2015 Bibich, Debit, Dalmatian White, Croatia.
One of the summer’s most fun and refreshing wines comes from Croatian superstar winemaker Alen Bibic of the Bibich winery in Skradin, not far from the beautiful port city of Sibenk on the Adriatic coast of Dalmatia. This winery founded over a hundred years ago, in 1906, is making some of the best Mediterranean influenced wines around and is a must try winery, and while Alen’s reds are legendary, I was surprised to find just how much joy was to be had in his whites, especially his Debit, a local grape that makes for an intriguing white wine with a fine cut of acidity and bright mineral laced character with a light to medium body. The stainless steel fermented and aged Debit comes from rocky dry farmed and head trained vines, the warm days and sea cooled nights gives this wine it’s poise and flavor filled vitality it bursts from the glass with citrus, white flowers and tropical notes with a hint of flinty spice and wet stones. Bright tangerine, melon and peach lead the way along with mango, lemon/lime, basil leaf and a nice dry saltiness. This is a pleasing crisp wine with a nice balance of juicy fruit and brisk elements, great with sea food, salads and just plain summer sipping! Debit is an interesting grape, it hasn’t been studied, though some claim it might be related to Italy’s Trebbiano, I find it more similar to Pecorino, and it drinks a little like a fine Soave, though less floral, the terroir influence makes it unique and clearly Bibich has it nailed, this is lovely stuff.
($17 Est.) 91 Points, grapelive

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