Pasaeli
If you follow me here or on one of my social feeds you have probably seen one or two wines (maybe all 10 plus) of this producer
Pasaeli is a boutique winery that started in Izmir in the Aegean region in Western Turkey. And now owns as well some more vineyards in the north western part (Marmara) and are working with grapegrowers in other parts. Only selected ones that are working according there goals and quality.
Not only do they strive for quality they are also real protectors of native grapes of Turkey and big suporters of Nature. Constant searching for the so called “forgotten” grapes and researching if and how this grape can be used. So besides the big 6 of Turkey (see previous posts) you can now find grapes like Sidalan, Kolorko, Cakal, Yapincak and Karasakiz for example.
Vineyards
Kaynaklar, İzmir
The Serez vineyard has a stony, gravely and clay red soil at an altitude of 235 meters. This altitude gives the possibility of day and night temperature differences during late August and early September, namely during the harvest period. It ensures that the grapes retain their acidity while reaching sugar and phenolic maturity. As a result, concentrated, full bodied and fruity, but at the same time balanced and elegant wines can be produced. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot,
Hoşköy, Tekirdağ
The vineyards in Hoşköy have partly clay and limy soil with high mineral content. They are at altitudes of 140 to 160 meters, and open to the winds blowing from Sea of Marmara. Thus, the grapes stay “cool” during late August and early September and retain their acidity. Concentrated, full bodied and fruit driven big wines, but also balanced and elegant. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot ,Petit Verdot and Kolorko!!!
Şarköy, Tekirdağ
The “dream” vineyard in Şarköy has deep, well drained loamy soil with medium lime content (with an ideal pH for vine growing). It is 3 km inland from the Sea of Marmara facing directly the Sea and its winds. It is at 200 meters above sea level with a gentle slope that allows good drainage. Old bush vines of Yapıncak for orange/skincontact wine and the younger ones for other whites.
This vineyard has 50 plus year “old vines” that were planted in late 1960’s with Yapıncak variety which is an indigenous variety to Thrace in Turkey-in-Europe. This is the reason we refer to it as our “dream” vineyard. The vines are free standing bush vines.
Gedik, Çanakkale
The vineyards surrounding the village generally run from 300 meters to 600 meters above sea level. And almost all of them face towards to south varying from south-east to south to south-west. “old vines”s dark brown loamy soils on a gentle slope. North of Kaz Dağları. Planted with indigenous varieties Karasakız, Sıdalan and Çakal
Kaz Dağları is a national park that lies in the northern part of the Aegean region of Turkey. It is home to some 800 plants, many of them unique to Turkey. It is also home to jackals, mountain deers, wolves, bears, rabbits, lynixes, squirrels, wild boars and many birds, and home to evergreen forests, small lakes, waterfalls, creeks, and home to 1000 springs. In English it is known as Mount Ida, a sacred mountain. According to Greek mythology it is where Zeus resides. This is also the mountain of Mother Goddess Cybele. Mount Ida is also mentioned in Homer’s epic poem the Iliad. Kaz Dağları is also the home of Sarıkız (Fair Maiden) myth, a girl with special powers helping wanderers who, according to the legend, had lost their ways on the mountain. Her memory is still celebrated and honored by the locals of the neighbouring villages who gather annually on the mountain peak.
You can find a Pasaeli wine for everybody and every occassion…
Below I made a small selection of their wines so you can get a small glimpse of what this nice producers does.
Sidalan Pasaeli 2019
Aromatic nose, full round and juicy. stone fruits like apple and pear together with citrus notes and minrality. Medium plus acidity for freshness medium plus after taste. Elegant flavours and refreshing
Wine food
Light starters, salads, white fish and soft cheeses
Our Sıdalan shows a Mediterranean Monk Seal which is an endangered species. Apparently there are 500-600 of them left in the world. They live mostly in eastern Mediterranean. The one on the photo has become a famous one. She is named Badem which means almond. She was found hurt and then was saved by a friend of mine who passed away 2 years ago. He was a famous person so she became famous and became the “face” of these seals in Turkey and in the world. We use the photo with his permission. The photo on our label has won an important award by Whitley Foundation in the United Kingdom. Please have a look at https://whitleyaward.org and you will see a face you will recognize:)
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Pasaeli Blush Calkarasi
Beautiful light and bright colour pink. Combination of balanced red fruit like strawberry, raspberry and light peach together with nice freshness. “sur lie” give taste and a fine lenght in the aftertaste.
Wine food
perfect for fresh starters, salads, fish tuna red mullet and/ or light meat.
Our Çalkarası has a drawing of a Seahorse. The artist is a famous Filipino called Isabel Roxas who lives in Queens, New York; https://studioroxas.com You might remember that we have another rose from Çalkarası that had a darker colour (more skin contact) which showed a Mermaid. That was also by Isabel. The Mermaid signifies half human and half fish with a black grape but vinified like a white so it is also somewhat half and half. The lighter colour has a Seahorse as it is more of a white wine and less of a red wine. Do you see the logic?
Paşaeli Kabuğunda Yapıncak
Very elegant round and fresh. Think about bitter oranges apricots and herbs with nice freshness “minerality” at the end. Orange/ skincontact wine(s) with nice combination of flavours, freshness and tannins.
skin contact Yapıncak is made with fruit of 50 years old vines. Bright gold colour. Intense on the nose, smoky and spicy but still with skin-contact aromas of bitter orange/apricot. Palate has freshness, deep flavours and oily minerality with tasty tannins due to 51 days of skin contact.
Our Yapıncak shows a fish. In Turkish this fish is called Lüfer which is a cousin of the Atlantic Blue Fish. Its habitat is between the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara. Cıty of Istanbul with a population of 17 M people is between these two seas as well. The only connection between the two seas is the Straight of Bosphorus. So you can imagine that if a fishes habitat happens to be next to such a big city it will be overfished. There are campaigns to preserve this fish. Also note that this is probably the most delicious fish around our waters. We love this fish and we agree with the campaigns to preserve it so it is on our label..
Shiraz Kalecik Karasi 2019 Pasaeli
The international Shiraz with the native grape Kalecik Karasi. full round ripe and juicy. think about black berries, blue berries, casis and forest fruit coulis. light animal touch, inkt and spices like cinamon liquorize and nutmegg. aromatic with soft tannine in combination with medium lenght fresh aftertaste.
Wine food
stews, beef, game T-bone steak. ripe style dishes and or spiced dishes
Paşaeli 6N ‘Old Vines’ Karasakız
Think Cherries, plums, light forest fruit, round soft some spices like laurel, liquorize, cinamon. nice lenght and pleasant acidity freshness. nice combination of ripeness fruit and freshness
Karasakız variety is native to north Kaz Dağları (aka Mount Ida), close to the site of ancient Troy. Grown a single vineyard with 35 year old vines that lies at 500 metres elevation, it is fermented with native yeast only. Barrel aged for 8 months in French oak barrels of 225 liters. A thin skinned variety with cherry red colour. The nose is delightful with aromas of sweet red cherry, cranberry and dry fig. Deep, sweet cherry red fruit, sour cherry freshness with earthy spice overtones and crisp acidity with a long fresh finish. Lively, fruity and delicious.
K2 (Cabernet sauvignon, Cabernet franc, merlot and Petit Verdot) Pasaeli
Full flavored and concentrated. rich in the mouth , think about dark red fruit, pencil, cederwood nice tannine structure and long aftertaste. Give it some area and space to open up and a great and beautifull glass will reveal himself
Wine food
Classic meat dishes Tournedos, boeuff
These are just a few examples of their wines that I like and maybe so will you. Give it a try, thank me later.
Available at
Winesofturkey
Turkswijnhuis
Wineanatolia
For more information and/or tasting notes check out previous blogpost about Turkisch wines or check my social feeds
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