The year after the film was released, Merlot sales took a significant dip in the United States. It was hard to escape from the stigma around Merlot that the film created. Admittedly, even Matt was affected, he avoided the grape early in his wine drinking days.

There is a very ironic thing about the grape in the film. Miles, the main character, shows his disdain for Merlot and Cabernet Franc in the film. Miles’ most prized possession is a 1961 Chateau Cheval Blanc, a right bank Bordeaux blend made of… Merlot and Cabernet Franc!

Say Hello to Croatian Merlot

Merlot isn’t the most “sexy” wine grape. However, there is no question that it has the ability to make deep, rich, world-class wines. Two of the most expensive wines in the world, Chateau Petrus and the aforementioned Chateau Cheval Blanc, are Merlot-based wines.

Our main focus is indigenous varieties. Because of the nature of what we do, we see a lot of Merlot. As we trot around the unheralded corners of the wine world, it seems as if everybody tries their hand at growing and vinifying it. Admittedly, it becomes difficult to taste the endless swathes of these wines after a while.

Croatian Merlot is a breath of fresh air, it is grown in all four winegrowing areas of Croatia. Here we will focus on three: Istria, Dalmatia, and Slavonia. We have yet to taste a Merlot from the Uplands that got us really excited.

Istrian Merlot

The region that is touted as the best potential for the grape is Istria. In fact, British wine critic Oz Clarke said Istria might be the world’s second-best Merlot terroir after Bordeaux. The Istrian peninsula is surrounded by the moderating Adriatic sea and has proximity to the Slovenian and Dinaric Alps that bring down cool air.

Those climatic factors plus the mineral soil may be the reason. The Merlot from Istria is rich, plush, and low in alcohol. Istrian Merlot can be ripe and plush while still maintaining alcohol levels of 12.5%. More importantly, the wine still has enough earth flavors and a true sense of place along with the ripe fruit flavors.

Istria is number 8 on the map.

Dalmatian Merlot

Dalmatia is a magical place for grapes. There are so many unique grapes grown in small pockets of the entire region. Some grapes exist only in small corners of remote islands. That is what makes the place special, all the unique and odd sounding grapes. Who knew that Merlot coming from the region would taste so good.

Our two top Merlot-based wines are from Dalmatia. The climate in Dalmatia is true Mediterranean with very hot and dry summers. The Merlot-based wines we have tasted from the region are rich and dense. These wines also range from fruity & unpretentious to serious with many layers of depth.

Northern Dalmatia is where we have tasted the most exciting Merlot based wines. A few areas of note are around the village of Skradin, Benkovac, and the island of Pag. The Merlot here gets tons of sun and takes on more sour red fruit flavors which Matt really likes. The best way to describe the grape here is an imaginary mix of Merlot flavors from Languedoc (France) and Lebanon.

Slavonian Merlot

Slavonia the region (not the country Slovenia) is in the far eastern, continental part of Croatia. The Slavonian oak barrels and casks from this area are famous with winemakers around the world, especially in Italy. Most of the region is covered with the Graševina (Welschriesling) grape.

Known as a white wine region, their momentum for producing reds is picking up quickly. A well-esteemed Dalmatian producer even told us that, “We (Dalmatians) need to step up our game because the red wines from Slavonia will rival ours in a few years.” When we visited the region we tasted some good examples of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir.

It seems that most producers that make red wine choose Merlot. The wines here can taste lean and underripe sometimes. More often than not they seem a bit one-dimensional. There are some good examples however. The best Merlot wines we have tasted from this region tend to have more herbal and earthy notes compared to Dalmatia and Istria.

Exotic Wine Travel’s Picks for Croatian Merlot

All three regions are pumping out some excellent Merlot-based wines. The most exciting thing is the fact here is a difference between each of the regions. Here are some of our favorite examples of Croatian Merlot.

Istrian Merlot

• Roxanich, Merlot 2007

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Roxanich is a natural producer that believe in wild yeasts, spontaneous fermentation, and long aging prior to release. This is a unique wine without a lot of terroir and aging notes, so it may not be for everyone but we really like it. The wine has flavors of leather, meat, dried plum, brown spice, vanilla, and tomato leaf – a lot going on here. The flavors are very big on the palate, the tannins are soft and the finish is extremely long. 

• Vina Laguna, Castello Festigia 2012

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A blend of 60% Merlot, 20% Syrah, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. This vintage won a Gold Medal and Regional Trophy at the 2015 Decanter competition in London. The winery Vina Laguna is one of the largest in Croatia, pumping out 4.5 million liters of wine every year – all with estate-grown grapes. Their basic wines are very serviceable and widely available. Festigia is the name of their reserve line of wines.

This wine is very delicious and very well made. It is stuffed full of tobacco, chocolate, cedar, blackberry, plum, and white pepper. What we like about this wine is it is fruity without being over-the-top and without high alcohol. This is a delicious wine that is just plain nice to drink, with fine-grained tannins, and enough complexity to keep you engaged. 

• Collis, Cuvée 2014 

A blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon from a brand new winery in Istria.  This wine is an impressive effort given the difficult and rainy vintage of 2014. This spends 18 months in oak and is rich with red fruit, caramel, and vanilla. The wine has beautiful texture with well-integrated wood flavors. Fan of Old World wine will be happy with this excellent effort. 

Dalmatian Merlot 

This is the 2013 but the labels for all the vintages are the same

• Boškinac, Cuvée 2007 

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A blend of 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon and aged for two years in French oak before release. This wine has a big-time reputation and we see why. We’ve also had the 2012 and 2013 vintages of this wine – both are excellent. This 2007 is on another level, we tasted this wine from a Jeroboam (3 liter – Double Magnum) bottle. It has amazing flavors of pencil lead, dried plum, dried cherry, and earth. The wine is rich and medium bodied with a long end palate, tangy acidity, and structure for days. 

• Bibich, Sangreal Merlot 2011

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We had a three and a half hour wine pairing lunch at Bibich and it was epic. During the magical afternoon, we tasted through his entire portfolio of wines. The top wines of Bibich are his Aleph and Bas de Bas. The Sangreal Merlot is no slouch, it is aged for 24 months in oak before bottling. This is dense, ripe, and slightly spicy. There are lots of dark plum, blackberry, and earth notes but the minerality is what makes this special. The Sangreal Merlot is a easy drinking and delicious wine.

• G & J Vina, Tvoja Krv i Moja 2012

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The words tvoja krv i moja translate to your blood and mine. It is the solo wine that comes from a French-trained couple. This wine from Northern Dalmatia is extremely difficult to find but the chase is worth it. The wine is rich and it has flavors of sour cherry at first. The sour cherry is immediately followed by a rush of black fruit, mint, and pencil lead. The long finish suggests that this couple knows what they are doing.

Slavonian Merlot 

• Bartolović, Merlot 2011

A wild card from a producer in Slavonia. Bartolović is the least heralded of the prior mentioned producers. This is inexpensive but extremely well made, mouth-watering, and delicious.This wine is extremely bright with a lot of sour cherry notes on the palate. There is also a touch of cedar, mineral, and clay notes present. The producer makes wines of real character, they are a hidden gem amongst Croatian wines. 

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    Do you want to try Croatian wines?    

If you want to savor the exquisite flavor of Croatian wines, look no further than wineandmore.com. With many options from different winemakers, it’s easy to find exactly what your palate desires. Not sure which bottle is best for you? Try out one of their curated wine cases and discover the perfect vintage for any occasion!

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Related Articles

Decanter Article on Istria Quoting Oz Clark 

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The Pinot Noir landscape is varied and hyper-global. Touted as ‘the heartbreak grape’, many winemakers around the world feel inspired to take on Pinot Noir’s demanding and finicky nature. And when a variety is grown in so many drastically different viticultural places, the question of varietal typicity becomes an open-ended question. Whether intentional or not: at Modri les Noirs, the question about Pinot Noir’s typicity was put on center stage.

THE SECOND EDITION OF MODRI LES NOIRS

Held at Hotel Kendov Dvorec (a member of Relais & Châteaux) in Idrija, Slovenia, Modri les Noirs is an annual wine festival dedicated to spotlighting Pinot Noir producers from Central and Eastern Europe. With only two editions under its belt, the second year of the event saw a healthy increase in exhibitors: from 15 to 32 producers from Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Serbia, and Switzerland.

EMERGING REGIONS FOR PINOT NOIR

When it comes to Pinot Noir, Slovenia and the Croatian Uplands—especially the Plešivica sub-region—are beginning to build favorable reputations, particularly for drinkers who prefer Pinot Noirs that are approachable on release. In Poland and Hungary’s Etyek wine region, cooler weathers yield markedly different Pinot Noirs that express dominant herbaceous notes and light to ultralight body. Some examples from Switzerland and Italy’s Alto Adige show softly spiced, fruit-led expressions. Then, there are also a few severely awkward examples that seem adamant about proving that Pinot Noir is anything but elegant.

Generally, Pinot Noir clones used in Slovenia, Serbia, Poland, Hungary, and Croatia are not unusual: predominantly Dijon and Italian clones with the occasional Swiss Mariafeld and German clones. These countries plus other lesser-known wine regions are beginning to make remarkable Pinot Noirs with a character all their own. Sure, Burgundy still produces some of the finest Pinot Noirs, but it’s no longer the only wine region that can tame the ‘heartbreak grape’. The dynamism in this part of the world is sure to motivate people to think beyond the Burgundian blockbusters and challenge the prevailing opinions on what Pinot Noir should be or can be. Here are the noteworthy wines at the show.

WINE RECOMMENDATIONS

Pinot Noir’s synonyms: Modri Pinot (Slovenia), Pinot Crni (Croatia), Pinot Nero (Italy)

• Korak, Pinot Crni Selekcija 2017 – The Uplands, Croatia

MH: 92+ points Korak Winery is one of the names to know for Pinot Noir in Croatia. The Korak Pinot Crni Selekcija 2017 is a beautiful darker Pinot Noir with black raspberry, oak, perfume, red plum, and pepper. Full-bodied and complex, this has nuances and layers on the palate. Firm tannins and a long finish.

• Tilia, Pinot Noir (White Label) 2017 – Vipava, Slovenia

MH: 92+ points The Pinot Noirs from Tilia are always earthy and savory. The 2017 Tilia Pinot Noir White Label has earth, mushroom, black raspberry, and red plum notes. Round and medium-bodied at first with a core of dark fruit. Like many of the Tilia reds wines, the tannins are big, so put this in the cellar for a few years.

• Castelfeder, Pinot Nero Riserva Burgum Novum 2016 – Alto Adige, Italy

MH: 92+/100 This is the first vintage of Castelfeder Pinot Nero Riserva Burgum Novum that is partially fermented with whole cluster. This is shyer than previous vintages at first but opens with air. There are notes of mountain berry, pepper, and perfume. This has juicy acidity and a certain Italian flair to it. Rich texture and tart red fruit with firm tannins and a long finish.

• Heap’s Good Winery, Modri Pinot 2015 – Stajerska, Slovenia

MH: 92 points The latest vintage from this Kiwi transplant in Slovenia is delicious. It’s light in color and very Southern Hemisphere in style with notes of mineral, hay, strawberry, raspberry, and white pepper. Silky smooth mid-palate and tannins with a long finish.

• Jakončič, Carolina Noir 2016 – Goriška Brda, Slovenia

CT: 91 points The 2016 vintage of Jakončič Carolina Noir shows notable improvement from 2015. This wine drinks well right out of the gate. Umani, smoky, salty, spicy, plus a bit rose, with all that underlined by candied fruit notes. The ripeness here reminds me of Pinot Noir from Santa Maria Valley in Santa Barbara County, California. Generous in density and intensity on the palate, leading to an appetizingly salty and sweet finish.

• Pasji Rep, Pinot Noir 2017 – Vipava, Slovenia

MH: 91 points Pasji Rep is a small organic producer located in the Vipava Valley. The Pasji Rep Pinot Noir 2017 is done in a friendly, fruity style. Notes of sour cherry and red raspberry. This has a round palate with silky tannins. The wine starts out fruity but develops a savory note and a peppery finish. It also has a history of aging well. A classic good example of Pinot Noir

• Etyeki Kúria, Pinot Noir Válogatás 2015 – Etyek, Hungary

MH: 90 points Etekyi Kúria is a new producer with a winery near Budapest. They are known in Hungary for making some of the best Pinot Noirs in the country. The Eteyki Kúria Pinot Noir Válogatás (vineyard selection) has notes of red raspberry, cherry, violet, and fall leaf. Silky and juicy with a low level of tannins. This is much better than their standard Pinot Noir.

• Sontacchi, Pinot Noir 2017 – Slavonia, Croatia

MH: 90 points Sontacchi is a small family winery located in the heart of Slavonia, and their Pinot Noir is a local favorite in Croatia. This vintage is a winner with delicate color and flavors. There are notes of raspberry, fall leaf, pepper, and a slight savory note. It’s real soft and silky on the palate with a touch of tannins. This vintage is silky and balanced with good length on the finish.

• Franz Haas, Pinot Nero 2017 – Alto Adige, Italy

CT: 88 points A spice-first-then-fruit kind of Pinot Noir, which I appreciate. Good intensity and textural depth on the palate. Vibrantly expressive and ready to drink.

• Hiša Joannes Protner Modri Pinot 2015 – Maribor, Slovenia

CT: 87+ points Undoubtedly the most ‘quintessential cool-weather Pinot Noir’ style at the show. Undoubtedly still not ready for consumption now. This ultra-linear, lightly-handed Pinot Noir might surprise acid freaks in a couple of years.

• Jamšek 1887, Modri Pinot 2015 – Vipava, Slovenia

CT: 87 points Beyond the typical fruit notes, there are spicy and floral hints of lavender, licorice, and ginger. Intriguing and complex aromatics. On the palate, the finish shows a bit of bitterness and oxidation. An exciting wine although untypical as a Pinot Noir.

NEW WORLD PINOT NOIR

Besides the walkaround tasting, there was also a masterclass about New World Pinot Noir, led by Quentin Sadler. 

• Hamilton Russell Vineyards, Pinot Noir 2018 – Walker Bay, South Africa

MH: 93+ points The Hamilton Russell Vineyards Pinot Noir is my favorite wine of this entire festival. This South African beauty has notes of raspberry, cherry, strawberry, and white pepper. Perfumed and nuanced with a lovely texture. Dancing acidity and a long finish.

• Marimar Estate, Mas Cavalls Pinot Noir 2014 – Sonoma Coast, California

MH: 93 points The Marimar Estate Mas Cavalls is Sonoma County Pinot Noir to a tee. IT has notes of sweet raspberry, cool whip, pepper, and a touch of strawberry. There are sweet tannins and a long finish. The high ripeness from the fruit and oak took many of the crowd by surprise, and the wine was distinctly different than the others at the show.

• Seresin Estate 2014 “Rachel” Pinot Noir – Marlborough, New Zealand

CT: 92 points Proprietor Michael Seresin is a renowned cinematographer responsible for Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Planet of the Apes, and more. He founded Seresin in 1992 and soon after became known in the winemaking circuit as one of the first few in the country to embrace organic viticulture. The Seresin Estate Rachel Pinot Noir is a blend of three vineyards that are 200 meters in elevation, on clay-gravel soil types. The grapes receive a cold soak before fermentation. After fermentation, the wine is aged for 12 months in barriques

An intense and moderately complex bouquet with dominant aromas of black pepper, earth, and leaf piles—all that before the fruit. Soft on the palate yet it is packed with textural density and flavor intensity. Silky but persistent tannins marked by notes of redcurrant and cherry. Crunchy acidity leads the flavors but does not act like a lonewolf at any point. Note: The 2013 vintage of this wine is listed in Matthew Horkey’s Pinot Palooza: Pinot Noir from Australia and New Zealand article.

Cover image: facebook.com/modrilesnoirs 

You May Also Enjoy:

• German Pinot Noir: Is It Worth the Hype?
• Learn about Polish Wine with Izabella Kamińska

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    Do you want to try Croatian wines?    

If you want to savor the exquisite flavor of Croatian wines, look no further than wineandmore.com. With many options from different winemakers, it’s easy to find exactly what your palate desires. Not sure which bottle is best for you? Try out one of their curated wine cases and discover the perfect vintage for any occasion!

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Want to learn more about wine?

Are you ready to discover the wonderful world of wines? Come join us at wineandmore.com, and let’s explore the incredible selection of delicious wines together! We can’t wait to share our passion for wine with you!

The organizers of Modri les Noirs covered our travel and accommodation expenses during the show. However, please note that the opinions expressed in this article are unsolicited and have not been paid for in any way by governmental bodies, enterprises, or individuals. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

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Hello! Welcome to As Drunk by Exotic Wine Travel, a weekly column where we feature interesting wines that we encourage you to seek out. The reviews featured in this series may be written by either one or the both of us. The featured wines can be from obscure or well-known wine regions. We hope that these wine recommendations will keep you gastronomically curious and your palate invigorated.

Vino Kupljen Loona 2017 (100% Sauvignon Blanc)

Slovenia is on the crossroads of Central and Eastern Europe. Thanks to its location within the Mediterranean basin, the country has a long history of wine production. Most of the country’s biggest and brightest winemaking stars are in the western part of the country. However, there are several producers in Eastern Slovenia showing that they too can produce fine wine. Wines on this side of the country tend to be high-acid whites and some sneaky good Pinot Noirs. With 18 hectares in the Jeruzalem and Svetinje wine-growing hills, Vino Kupljen is one of those noteworthy cellars in Eastern Slovenia.

The Vino Kupljen ‘Loona’ 2017 is made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes from a southwestern-facing site with primarily marl soil. The sub-region Jeruzalem is located in Štajerska (Podravje wine region, northeastern Slovenia). Štajerska translates to Styria in English, and this area was part of the Duchy of Styria during the Austrian Empire era. However, today, the English name Styria, also called Steiermark, refers to the southernmost wine-producing region in Austria.

The 36-hour maceration was followed by a 4-week cold fermentation. The wine was then matured in new French barriques, resting on fine lees for 9 months. Finally, the wine was bottled without filtration.

Intense and expressive flavor profile. Pronounced floral overtone underlined by orange zest, a touch of asparagus, pineapple, peach, and green mango. The tropical fruit core is lifted by subtle spicy notes. The generous palate points to Alto Adige while the lightly green pungency feels Styria-esqe.

Interesting note: this wine has a Diam 30 closure! It definitely makes me wonder how this wine would evolve in a decade or three.

Score: 91+/100 (You can find out more about our scoring system on the wine rating page.)

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Are you ready to discover the wonderful world of wines? Come join us at wineandmore.com, and let’s explore the incredible selection of delicious wines together! We can’t wait to share our passion for wine with you!

You might also enjoy: Slovenian wine articles

Please note that the opinions expressed are our own and have not been paid for in any way. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

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Once considered a cheap and insipid wine, Babić is reveling in renewed interest in its potential. What tremendous potential do winemakers see in this indigenous wine grape from Croatia? What sensory advantages does it possess to merit its move from the bottom shelf at a supermarket to eye-level premium merchandizing row, with a three-digit price tag to boot? Exotic Wine Travel tastes what is allegedly the best example of Babić wine to find out.

BABIĆ REDEFINES ITS ROLE IN THE MARKETPLACE

Grown in Dalmatia, Croatia, Babić (pronunciation: Bah-bich) is most likely a relative of Croatia’s flagship red wine grape Plavac Mali—as DNA analysis shows a possible parent-offspring relationship between Babić and Dobričić, while Dobricic is a parent of Plavac Mali (the other parent of Plavac Mali is Tribidrag).

Organopletically, Babić is known for its marked acidity, soft tannins, medium to full body, and a flavor profile similar to Sangiovese—with notes of red cherry, spices, and herbs. With judicious oak integration and aging, Babić can also develop a sweet balsamic quality similar to Sangiovese. The best site for Babić is believed to be the UNESCO-shortlisted Bucavac vineyard, where old goblet vines thrive in poor, rocky soils.

The quality of Babić is highly dependent on yield control and growing conditions. Quoting Croatian wine writer Saša Spiranec, “There is no middle ground with Babić. It is one of those varieties that deliver either a mediocre wine or an ultimate unchallenged experience. We have been witnessing this for decades because the popularity of and market demand for Babić have never lacked, but the quantity of really good labels could always be counted on the fingers of one hand.”

MARKUS FRANZ FERDINAND SMASHES THE GLASS CEILING

Markus Franz Ferdinand is the brainchild of Daniel Szabo and Ivona Jeličić. Made from 100% old-vine Babić, the grapes are picked from Primošten in Northern Dalmatia, put in a refrigerated truck, and transported to a garage winery near Zagreb for vinification. Markus is the name of the winery, while Franz Ferdinand is in reference to Archduke Franz Ferdinand, who was assassinated in 1914, the same year that this old Babić vineyard was planted.

With a production size of merely 300 bottles in selected good years and a retail price of around €150 for a bottle, Markus Franz Ferdinand is one of Croatia’s rarest and most expensive red wines. We recently had a chance to do a vertical tasting of this wine: three vintages in total that are already bottled, with only one vintage currently on the market.

MARKUS BABIĆ 2016

2016 marks the first vintage of Markus Babić. The grapes for this bottling are taken from three different vineyards with goblet vines that are over 60 years old (average age). So the grapes here are not from the same site as the Markus Franz Ferdinand bottling. This is the ‘entry-level’ Babić of Markus Winery, and its retail price is in the €20 range.

MKH: Make no mistake, this is a Mediterranean wine but a pretty one at that. There are notes of dark cherry, purple flower, toast, and sage. It’s full-bodied with grippy tannins and a peppery finish. It’s a great alternative to its more costly big brother. Score: 90/100

CT: Captivating, brine-like bouquet marked by anchovy, maraschino cherry, and dry savory herbs, with a background of warm spices. Wonderful concentration leads to a finish filled with sweet tannins, complicated by a hint of walnut and plentiful freshness. The 14.5% alcohol shows a bit of heat on the finish, but the ultimately complex and generous front-to-mid palate balances the heat. There’s a good level of oxidation and development in this wine to create layers of nuances yet, simultaneously, the wine remains sufficiently youthful and fresh. Prior to tasting the Babić wines from Markus Winery, I used to consider Babić to be Chianti Classico-like. But with the profundity and strength that Markus Winery has repeatedly captured in its Babić wine, I’m starting to think it can be rather Châteauneuf-du-Pape-like. Score: 90+/100

MARKUS FRANZ FERDINAND 101 (2015)

The Markus Franz Ferdinand 101 2015 is the debut vintage of this wine, and it’s the vintage currently on the market. The 101 on the label refers to the age of the vines, which were planted in 1914.

MKH: The nose is complex with hints of violet, black cherry, red plum, pepper, and sage. It’s round on the mid-palate and shows luscious sweet fruit notes. The tannins are fine-grained and guide a long finish. This is in a great drinking place now. Score: 93/100

CT: I wish for a few more hours with this wine. This bottle starts off notably reduced, with matchstick and other sulfurous aromas. But look beyond that and I find this wine to show youthfulness and vividness hidden underneath a robust Mediterranean flavor profile and generous density. This is the fifth time I’m tasting Markus Franz Ferdinand 101, so I know this wine is better than it is showing today. The smokiness and salinity are ever-present in Markus Franz Ferdinand 101 2015. Score: 91+/100

MARKUS FRANZ FERDINAND 102 (2016)

The Markus Franz Ferdinand 102 2016 has been bottled, and it will receive around two more years of bottle aging before release.

MKH: Wowzzaas, I wouldn’t hesitate to call the Markus Franz Ferdinand 102 2016 one of the greatest dry red Croatian wines (other solid candidates are the Kiridžija Dingač 2008, Clai Bastovica Teran 2007, and Saints Hills E.T. Dingač 2011). This wine is in the bottle and will hit the market in less than a year. The nose on this wine is surprisingly more developed than the other two vintages. It has notes of tomato leaf, dark cherry, violets, pepper, and a touch of tangerine peel. The structure is what makes this wine stand out. It’s got fine tannins and an endless finish. For a big red wine, the Markus Franz Ferdinand 102 shows an impeccable balance. Score: 94/100

CT: I’m with Matt on this, that the structure is what ultimately makes this wine a heavyweight champion. There’s a sense of symmetry running through the core of this wine. The flavor profile is dominated by notes of dry walnut, bay leaf, and cherry—so, quite a developed wine in terms of flavor. Since it’s a Babić, there’s a slicing edge of acidity that remains and it’s perfectly welcome. Coupled that with firm and sweet tannins, plus an enthralling concentration, the Markus Franz Ferdinand 102 points me in the direction of Vintage Port. It’s like a coiled spring with so much energy saved and ready to unravel in the future, although I wouldn’t say it’s a monolithic wine—it’s a ready-to-drink-now wine for my fruit-loving palate. I definitely prefer the 2016 vintage to 2015. The Markus Franz Ferdinand 102 2016 has a persistence that’s bound to make wine drinkers go, “Wow!” Score: 93+/100

MARKUS FRANZ FERDINAND 103 (2017)

The Markus Franz Ferdinand 103 2017 is already in the bottle. The slated release date is around 2025.

MKH: It’s distinctive from the previous two vintages of this wine. The blueberry and blackberry tones along with violets, pepper, and bacon fat notes give this wine a Syrah-like feel. This is the fruitiest wine of the bunch and the tannins are big. Once the baby fat falls off and the wood settles, this could be another stunner. Score: 92+/100

CT: Plenty of new oak quality frames the wine and contrasts well with the intense fruit. Compelling bouquet and tightly wound on the palate. The density and profundity of Markus Franz Ferdinand persist in this vintage. A young wine yet it’s already showing amiability that might surpass its peers. I suspect this will be my favorite vintage of Markus Franz Ferdinand in the near future. Stylistically, it reminds me of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape by Domaine de la Solitude. Score: 92+/100

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    Do you want to try Croatian wines?    

If you want to savor the exquisite flavor of Croatian wines, look no further than wineandmore.com. With many options from different winemakers, it’s easy to find exactly what your palate desires. Not sure which bottle is best for you? Try out one of their curated wine cases and discover the perfect vintage for any occasion!

************

Want to learn more about wine?

Are you ready to discover the wonderful world of wines? Come join us at wineandmore.com, and let’s explore the incredible selection of delicious wines together! We can’t wait to share our passion for wine with you!

Recommended Reading – This is truly an exceptional wine: Markus Franz Ferdinand Babić 2015 by Saša Spiranec!

Please note that the opinions expressed are our own and have not been paid for in any way. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

The post Markus Franz Ferdinand: Bringing Babić to the Forefront of Croatian Wine appeared first on Wine Travel.

If you consider yourself an Italian wine lover, then you’ll likely have a visceral reaction when you hear the name “Tignanello”. The internationally coveted Tignanello was released in 1974 with a 1971 debut vintage. It was the first wine produced in Chianti Classico that could not be classified as such, which eventually led to the Super Tuscan revolution.

Tignanello was the first Sangiovese to be aged in barriques, one of the first red wine made in Chianti Classico that didn’t have white grapes in the blend, and the first Chianti Classico wine to be blended with Cabernet grapes. Consequently, Tignanello started a quality movement and became the much-needed linchpin of modern Italian fine wine.

The iconoclast behind Tignanello and the Super Tuscan revolution is the family-owned Marchesi Antinori enterprise, with a history dating back to the 14th century.

Today, this Tuscany-based wine family is no longer confined to one wine region. The Antinori family produces around 150 labels from 24 estates in Italy, from the northern reaches of Lombardy to Puglia in the south.

Thanks to Vivat Fina Vina Vinoteka Wine Bar (Zagreb, Croatia), who invited us to a portfolio tasting of Antinori, we had a chance to taste wines from Castello Della Sala (Umbria), Villa Antinori (Tuscany), Tenuta Tignanello (Tuscany), Prunotto (Piedmont), Let Mortelle (Tuscany), Guado Al Tasso (Tuscany), and Tormaresca (Puglia).

ANTINORI PORTFOLIO TASTING: RECOMMENDED WINES

• Castello Della Sala, ‘Cervaro Della Sala’ 2017 – Umbria

MKH: The Castello Della Sala ‘Cervaro Della Sala’ was one of the first Italian Chardonnays aged in French barriques. The first vintage was in 1985, and this vintage has a touch of Grechetto in the blend. There’s a lot of oak here. It’s a big white wine with notes of banana, melon, yellow peach. This wine is big and silky on the palate. The wood is present but does not overpower the fruit. 90/100

CT: Castello Della Sala is the first white wine estate established by Antinori. The only red wine variety planted there is Pinot Noir. Unfortunately, I’m not with Matt on this. This bottling of Antinori Chardonnay is my least favorite of the white wine line-up. My favorite white is, in fact, the ‘baby Cervaro’: Castello Della Sala’s ‘Bramito Della Sala 2018. Perhaps I need a better perspective of the evolution and track record of Cervaro Della Sala; but right now, this wine is tense, one-dimensional and loaded with oak impact. The palate is interesting though—buttery and unctuous while showing good acidity. I do think, though, even at this point, the wine is amenable to food and can be a winner when the right food pairing is effected. 88+/100

For readers in the EU, this wine is available at 8Wines.

• Tenuta Tignanello, Marchese Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva 2016 (Tuscany)

MKH: The Tenuta Tignanello Marchese Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva is a polished wine. It’s basically a baby Tignanello. There are notes of sour cherry, red plum, mocha, and pepper. The wine is full-bodied, dense and structured. The modern winemaking makes it approachable but the tannins are chewy and give it some potential to improve in the bottle. 92/100

CT: A blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. I agree with Matt that it’s a ‘baby Tignanello’ because of sensory similarities between the two wines. It’s a tad fresher, more approachable, more harmonious, softer, and lighter than Tignanello right now. 92/100

Find or buy on Wine-Searcher.

• Tenuta Tignanello, Tignanello 2016 (Tuscany)

MKH: The Tenuta Tignanello’s Tignanello is an Italian classic. This vintage is a tad more structured than the 2015. There are notes of dark raspberry, sour cherry, minerals, and mocha from the barrel. This beauty is full-bodied and rich with endless layers of flavors. Big, time chewy tannins guide the long finish. 96/100

CT: I might like 2016 Tignanello more than the coveted 2015 vintage because 2016—to me—fits more consistently into the Tignanello’s signature of finesse, elegance, and understated expressions. This vintage is a blend of 80% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Cabernet Franc. This new vintage is showing excellent balance and accessibility, which is uncommon for a young Tignanello. The finish is long enough to last me through writing a few lines of haiku. 96/100

For readers in the EU, Tignanello is available at 8Wines.

• Prunotto, ‘Bansella’ Nizza 2017 (Piedmont)

MKH: Prunotto is an estate in Piedmont that is famous for its Barolos and Barbarescos. This Prunotto ‘Bansella’ Nizza is an overachieving Barbera from the Nizza Cru. It has a beautiful nose with dark cranberry, cherry, smoke, and pepper. It’s a big-bodied Barbera with fine tannins. Drinkable now but like other wines from Nizza, this should age well. This wine is a steal, scoop it up by the case. 92/100

CT: I’ve long been a fan of Barbera, but Barbera from Nizza DOCG is something I was acquainted with only earlier this year at the Pollenzo Business to Business (B2B) Tasting in Piemonte, Italy. Nizza DOCG was established in 2014, and this Prunotto Bansella Nizza is the second vintage of Nizza from this cellar. The main notes are wild berries, black pepper, and licorice. The palate opens with a sweet-fruit entry, which leads to a finish that plays center stage to spice and acid. I like this wine for its contrast of sweet fruit, spicy aspects, and acidic freshness. 91+/100

Find or buy on Wine-Searcher.

• Tormaresca, ‘Bocca di Lupo’ Aglianico Castel del Monte 2012 (Puglia)

MKH: Tormaresca is Antinori’s project in the deep south of Italy. The Tormaresca ‘Bocca di Lupo’ Castel del Monte Aglianico is one of the estate’s top red wines. It has an intriguing flavor profile of tar, black cherry, sage, cedar, and earth. Full-bodied with many layers of flavors, this is a Mediterranean red through and through. The smoky and long finish is guided by grainy tannins. 93+/100

CT: A classic example of a fine Mediterranean red wine. Dominant notes are licorice, blackcurrant, black cherry, and sage. It’s exhilaratingly spicy with exceptional tannins that punch deep in the mouth like sonic pulses. It’s really quite extracted but, simultaneously, it packs some positive greenness. I haven’t found many Aglianicos that I appreciate and this is one of the few I like. 92/100

Find or buy on Wine-Searcher.

BUY ANTINORI WINES

You can purchase some of Antinori wines at 8Wines, which delivers to all EU countries, Hong Kong, Japan, and Norway. 8Wines also carries some Croatian wines that we highly recommend you to try!

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You May Also Enjoy:

• Super Tuscan Sangiovese
• Wine Recommendation: Feudi di San Gregorio Taurasi Riserva Piano di Montevergine 2002
• The Family Trust, by Wine Spectator

Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are unsolicited and have not been paid for in any way by governmental bodies, enterprises, or individuals. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

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In the Spring of 2018, we set out on a re-tour of Croatia to bring our book Cracking Croatian Wine: A Visitor Friendly-Guide to life. There was so much to share about Dalmatia that we ended up shooting five episodes on the region. This is the second episode about Dalmatia, ‘Cracking Croatian Wine in Korčula, Dalmatia’.

Korčula Island: Dalmatia

Korčula island is located in southern Dalmatia. There are folk legends that suggest that Venetian explorer Marco Polo was born on the island. Whether this is true or not, the fact is that this island produces some of the most exciting white Croatian wine. In this episode of Cracking Croatian Wine, we highlight producers working with the local white grapes Grk and Pošip.

Watch “Cracking Croatian Wine In Korčula, Dalmatia” on Exotic Wine Travel YouTube:

Timestamps: Cracking Croatian Wine in Korčula, Dalmatia

(1:07) Join us on the beautiful ferry ride from Split to Korčula Island.

(1:45) Meet Ivan Batistić of Zure Winery. Together with his brother and father, Ivan runs the small winery and restaurant. They work with the local white Croatian wine grapes Grk and Pošip.

(2:41) Learn more about the nomenclature of Grk.

(4:01) Meet Frano Milina Bire of Bire Winery. Frano is considered to be the godfather of modern Grk and his wines sell out quickly every vintage. Frano explains what makes the Croatian wine grape Grk so special.

(5:56) Join us on a sailing trip with Lešić Dimitri Palace. With over 1000 islands, Croatia is a sailor’s paradise. Dalmatia has been dubbed as a playground for the nouveau riche thanks to the towering mountains and deep blue Adriatic Sea.

(7:02) Join us for lunch at Lešić Dimitri Restaurant. This Dalmatian restaurant is listed in the Michelin Guide. At the restaurant, Chef Marko is creating modern interpretations of classic Dalmatian dishes.

(9:18) Check out the Čara Valley, which is where the white Croatian wine grape Pošip originated from. The valley is also home to one of the few successful cooperative wineries in Croatia, PZ Pošip Čara.

(10:09) Come with us to Zavalatica and meet Luka Krajančić of Krajančić Winery. Luka is considered to be the founder of modern Pošip. He’s a winemaker, artist, and philosopher- you’ll see why in this clip.

(12:02) Check out the rooms in Lešić Dimitri Palace, one of the few five-star accommodations in Dalmatia.

View, like, share the full episode on our Facebook Page:

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You May Also Enjoy: Making Cracking Croatian Wine

Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are unsolicited and have not been paid for in any way by governmental bodies, enterprises, or individuals. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

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We tasted over 5,000 wines from 30 countries this year, and it was an arduous task to narrow the list to 18 wines. Our trip back to the USA alone could have filled this list with wines from Napa Valley and Santa Barbara County and other classics that we tasted in New York City. So here it is, Exotic Wine Travel’s list of 18 memorable wines. As usual: while sensory merits are important, there are other factors that went into selecting these wines. Did the wine pique curiosity as well as satisfy it? Did it make us re-examine our assumptions and teach us something new? Did it humanize wine and mean something special to us? Ultimately, it’s an imperfect methodology but good enough to get the gist of our year measured out in wines. There’s a mix of classics and lesser-known wines on the list, which we hope reveals the ever-expanding choices that are available to wine lovers. We highly recommend you to seek out these wines and “drink adventurously” (our tagline). Note: The wines are listed in chronological order based on when we tasted them.

Mayacamas, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mt. Veeder – Napa Valley, 2004 (California, USA)

The first notable event we attended in 2018 was the Wine Writers Symposium at Meadowood in Napa Valley. It was an invite-only event that we both received fellowships to attend. We flew from Croatia to visit Matt’s family in Michigan. After visiting the family, we drove 4,000 kilometers (2,400 miles) across the country to California—during the winter no less.

On the second day of the symposium, we attended the “Master tasting with Steven Spurrier and Friends“, which featured current release and library wines from the Napa Valley producers that participated in the 1976 Judgement of Paris. During our tasting, we had several outstanding wines including a Heitz Martha’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 1997, a Clos Du Val Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 1979, and this Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon 2004. Why we love it: It was a tough choice to pick one ‘best wine’ from a strong 14-pour line-up. However, the 2004 Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder was unequivocally the top choice for Charine (Matt preferred the 1997 Heitz a little more because of the aged tobacco and menthol notes). Here’s Charine’s notes: “The 2004 Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder illustrates a vivid image of its birthplace—all the signs of mountaintop and fresh breeze! The fruit is exceptionally vibrant and fresh for its age, lined by freshly tilled soil and amber. The sure-footed finish is backed by long-drawn, sweet spice-tinted, fine-grained tannins.”

Harlan Estate, Napa Valley, 2014 (California, USA)

After the Wine Writers Symposium, we attended several AVA tastings in Napa Valley. There are 16 AVAs (American Viticultural Areas) in Napa Valley, and each area produces distinctly different styles of wine. At the Oakville AVA tasting, there was no wine that we scored below 91 points. All the wines expressed ripe fruit flavors with a sense of freshness, rich texture, and a firm structure. Two wines that stood out above the rest were the 2014 Harlan Estate and 2014 Screaming Eagle, two of the most famous Napa cult wines. Why we love it: One taste of the 2014 Harlan Estate left us speechless. It’s a magnificent wine, and it claims the highest score that we’ve ever published on this site (4.9/5 or 99/100). The wine glides across the tongue as if it’s a ball of flavors giving the palate a deep-tissue massage. Everything is in place, in the right order and amount. Everything is complete.

Shafer, Hillside Select, Stags Leap District – Napa Valley, 2013 (California, USA)

After the Wine Writers Symposium and AVA tastings, we attended the 2018 Premiere Napa Valley auction. It’s an annual event where members of the Napa Valley Vintners auction off micro lots, between 60 to 240 bottles, of one-off creations that are still in the barrels. The money raised from the en primeur auction helps fund the operation of the Napa Valley Vintners, including the promotion and protection of Napa Valley. Prior to the wine futures auction, attendees had a chance to attend a walk-around tasting of barrel samples from the lots before bidding on them hours later and receiving them in a few years when they’re bottled. We tasted through the lots in the morning and then went to lunch before the live auction started. One participant told us to get to the lunch venue as early as possible because the wine selection would be remarkable; we heeded his advice. Over lunch, we had four hedonistic Napa Cabernets in front of us: The Continuum 2014, Staglin Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Paul Hobbs Nathan Coomb’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, and this Shafer Hillside Select 2013.

Why we love it: The Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 surpasses the rest in this instance. It’s nuanced, structured, generous in aromas, yet focussed and elegant on the palate.

The Ojai Vineyard, Syrah, John Sebastiano Vineyard – Santa Barbara County, 2014 (California, USA)

After our week in Napa Valley, we drove back to Michigan to shoot our series about the wines of Santa Barbara County. It’s our favorite wine region in the USA, and we wrote an e-guide entitled Sipping Santa Barbara: Recommended Wines and Producers to help first-time visitors navigate the wine region. To support our efforts, producers had graciously sent us over 100 wines to use for our video series. The single-vineyard wines from John Sebastiano Vineyard are some of our favorites. The John Sebastiano Vineyard sits on the northeastern edge of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, which is slightly warmer than other parts of Sta. Rita Hills. The vines are planted on steep hill slopes facing west and enjoy blustery winds from the Pacific Ocean. The soil contains clay-loam underlaid by limestone. The berries ripen relatively late here so the single-vineyard wines of John Sebastiano Vineyard tend to show marked concentration.

Why we love it: This is quite a benchmark of cool-climate Syrah. It’s concentrated yet remains approachable and soft. Floral, savory, earthy, and fruity, we can’t ask for more from a Syrah.

An Approach to Relaxation, Sucette, 2014 (Barossa Valley, Australia)

After a few weeks of shooting about Santa Barbara wines, we were on the road again. This time, we drove east from Michigan to New York, where we were scheduled to do a masterclass about Croatian wines. Along the way, we met up with our long-time virtual friend Drew DiMatteo and spent a couple of days with him in New Jersey and New York. Needless to say, many wines were shared and An Approach to Relaxation Sucette 2014 topped the list of memorable wines. Why we love it: Old-vine Grenache grown in sandy soil, plus vinified with some stem inclusion—that alone says a lot about this wine. It’s light on the feet and color, yet it punches with surprising intensity. It’s a wine that I won’t mind wearing on my wrists and licking myself ever so occasionally. There’s definitely deft winemaking (the makers are Richard Betts MS and Carla Rzeszewski) here as well.

Giacomo Conterno, Barolo Cascina Francia, 1998 (Piedmont, Italy)

After our time in New Jersey, Drew came with us to New York. We had a special evening scheduled with another wine enthusiast that we had previously known only in the virtual world. Croat-born American Leopold Frokic invited us to his home. The evening started off with a line-up of Nebbiolos from Bartolo Mascarello, Brovia, GD Vajra, and Marcarini, and the standout wine was this Giacomo Conterno Barolo Cascina Francia 1998. Why we love it: Barolo and Barbaresco are near and dear to our hearts—they were wines that we discovered together at the beginning of our relationship seven years ago, and they were the first wine regions we visited when our full-time travel began in 2015. This was a wine that had eluded us until that night.

Philippe Pacalet, Cornas, 2015 (Rhône, France)

After New York, Drew wanted to show us more of the Philly’s food and wine scene, so we hopped across the bridge for some Philly Cheesesteaks at John’s Roast Pork and drinks at the Walnut Street Café. Walnut’s sommelier Kaitlyn Caruke (named ‘Best New Sommelier by Wine & Spirits Magazine in 2018) opened a bottle of Philippe Pascalet Cornas 2015. Why we love it: Matt loves Syrah; Charine loves Philippe Pacalet and Cornas but tends to find Philippe Pacalet to have severe bottle variation and Cornas to be too young for consumption. This is an all-stars-aligned Rhône red that’s best when savored, not tasted.

Domaine Armand Rousseau Père & Fils, Ruchottes-Chambertin Grand Cru, Clos de Ruchottes, 2006 (Cote de Nuits, Burgundy, France)

After our time in the USA, we returned to Europe to start a series of press trips. Charine was off to the VinNatur event in Vicenza, Italy. One night, the event organizer shared this bottle of Clos des Ruchottes with her. This wine had been on her vision board for several years. Why we love it: It was surreal to see this bottle walked out of the wishlist onto the dining table. Better yet, the wine was in its peak window. 2006 was not a great year for Clos des Ruchottes, but the wine had come around with sustained depth and poise.

Éric Texier, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Vielles Vignes, 2015 (Rhône, France)

At the three-day Villa Favorita event organized by VinNatur, Charine had a chance to discover many new wine producers. But the one that left the deepest impression was Éric Texier, whose wines we were already familiar with. It was Charine’s first taste of his Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Why we love it: Charine appreciates every wine in Éric Texier’s portfolio, including the basic ‘Chat Fou’, but his Châteauneuf-du-Pape was in a league of its own: it caused her to stop in awe, then compelled her to create quite a commotion because she couldn’t contain my excitement. She has since become a vocal and enthusiastic supporter of Éric Texier.

Cave L’Étoile, Banyuls Grand Cru Cuvée Réservée, 1995 (Roussillon, France)

While Charine was enjoying the wonders of Vinnatur, Matt participated in Languedoc-Roussillon Week in the south of France. The week was jam-packed with tastings, workshops, field trips, and food. Matt tasted a number of delicious wines from many different appellations in Languedoc-Roussillon, but it was the fortified wines of Banyuls that captured his attention. One afternoon, we visited the steep terraces where those wines are born. What a site it was.

While Charine is in a never-ending love affair with Port, Matt was never into fortified wines until he met Banyuls. These wines are lower in alcohol (14.5%-16%) than Port and are a little easier to drink. The Cave L’Étoile Banyuls Grand Cru Cuvée Réservée 1995 was served during the last dinner of the the Languedoc-Roussillon trip. It was a special seven-course dinner featuring two fortified wines per course. This was the wine took nearly everyone’s breath away.  Why we love it: This sweet wine is a smorgasbord of flavors. Think dried raspberries mixed with coffee, toffee, pepper, and leather flavors. If you like Port, it’s time to give vintage Banyuls a try.

Clai, Bastovica, 2007 (Istria, Croatia)

After the Languedoc-Roussillon trip and VinNatur event , we met back in Croatia and set out to shoot a 12-part video series, entitled Cracking Croatian Wine, to support our book of the same name. On the third day of our shoot, we arrived at Clai winery in the evening (click on the video below).

Giorgio Clai and his co-winemaker Dimitri Brečević were having drinks after a long day in the vineyards. We joined them and tasted through the new vintage. Giorgio’s mood got progressively jovial as the evening darkened. He began pulling out archive wines from his small, personal stash (he drinks a lot of his own wine), including this Clai Bastovica Teran 2007. Why we love it: This wine isn’t in production anymore as all the vines in the Bastovica vineyard have been pulled. So this is quite a unicorn wine, which—admittedly—makes it even more special. But it’s not just merely novelty; the 2007 Clai Bastovica Teran had gained the necessary complexity through aging and it was showing great class that night. A sublime wine with larger-than-life quality that reminded us of the maker Giorgio Clai.

Kiridžija, Dingač, 2008 (Dalmatia, Croatia)

Our eighth episode of Cracking Croatian Wine focused on the wines of the Pelješac Peninsula. This slender piece of land is the spiritual home to Plavac Mali. The peninsula contains Croatia’s first two appellations, Postup and Dingač.

One of Plavac Mali’s old guards is Vedran Kiridžija, who produces about 15,000 bottles of wine (one-third are Dingač) in a humble cellar behind his house. When we stopped by to shoot our episode, Vedran was kind enough to share a bottle of Dingač from his favorite vintage, 2008. Why we love it: The wine had such a beautiful quiet intensity and harmony that we never thought we could find in Dingač. Who would have thought that the tannic monster Dingač has the ability to walk on tip-toe? Charine loved the wine so much that she teared up. We were also delighted that Vedran Kiridžija enjoyed the moment and the wine as much as we did.

Château Montrose, Saint-Estèphe, 2008 (Bordeaux, France)

After wrapping up our Cracking Croatian Wine video series, we had an intense few months of travel and started the second half of the year with a trip to Puglia (Italy) to judge at Radici del Sud, then moved on to more press trips in Hungary and Romania, and then back to Italy to judge at the Cagliari International Wine & Food Festival. After Sardinia, we went on a two-week re-tour of the Slovak wine regions. After Slovakia, we settled down in Oradea, Romania where we visited a friend and caught up on desktop work. During our time in Oradea, our friend Șerban organized two blind tastings, mixing in Romanian wines with international wines. The first tasting had quite a few surprises in it, including several impressive Romanian wines, a Quintarelli Giuseppe Amarone Della Valpolicella 2003, and this Château Montrose 2008. On first taste, Charine immediately identified it as a classified Bordeaux. This was the first bottle that was finished that night—the most practical identifier of ‘the best wine’. Why we love it: Château Montrose is one of Charine’s all-time favorite Bordeaux as it’s one of the most value-for-money cellar-worthy wines. This wine shows brightness and gossamer texture.

Crama Oprişor, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2011 (Oltenia, Romania)

We did a second blind tasting in Oradea a few days later. Șerban mixed in lots of international wines including Rioja, Barolo, and Amarone. We brought along a Liber Pater 2009 (Bordeaux), which showed well. The most memorable wines were the Liber Pater, Château Porto Carras (Greece), and this lone Romanian wine in the flight.

Why we love it: The Crama Oprişor Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 changed our impressions of Romanian reds. We were in Romania three times in 2018 and tasted many wines from the top Romanian wine producers. In general, Romanian reds tend to be heavily extracted, finished with a landslide of oak. This wine is nothing of that sort; it’s powerful yet elegant, and it sings Old-World restraint.

Château Pajzos, Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos, 2006 (Tokaj, Hungary)

After Oradea, Romania, we went back to Hungary for the Hungarianwines.eu study trip, which covered four Hungarian regions in four days. The study trip was a prize we received for winning the Hungarian Web Wine Writing contest with first place in the category of red wine and runner-up in Hungarian food and wine pairing. We were joined on the trip by other winners of the contest and a group of Cava producers from Catalunya, Spain.

This trip marked our third visit to Tokaj in 2018. It’s a region that fascinates us endlessly, and we’re always happy to return to Tokaj. This time around, we visited Château Pajzos. The managing director of Château Pajzos, Laurent Comas, guided us through the old cellars and a tasting of current releases and archive wines. While the Château Pajzos Eszencia 2000 was ethereal, it was the Château Pajzos Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos 2006 that unanimously impressed our whole group. Why we love it: The wine was beautiful: stewy notes with primary fruit dialed back; good balance of acid and sugar that paved the way for current drinkability. But what captivated us was the overall beauty of that moment: drinking the wine in the Tokaji cellar (drinking Tokaji wine in a traditional Tokaji cellar should be on the bucket list of every wine lover) with a group of like-minded people.

Mlečnik, Rebula, 2009 (Vipava, Slovenia)

Immediately after the Hungarian wine study trip, we had to attend another press trip in Slovenia. The schedule almost seemed improbable until a virtual friend came to our rescue—coincidently, Sašo Papp of Vinoo.co was attending the same wine event that we were attending in Hungary, and he graciously offered to drive us from the Etyek wine region in Hungary to Vipava Valley in Slovenia.

The Vipavska Rebula event was a sensory explosion. The press trip was sponsored by six quality-minded producers Burja, Batič, Slavček, Guerilla, Mlečnik, and Svetlik along with the Slovenian Tourist Board. We visited Mlečnik in 2017, so we were already familiar with their wines. However, nothing prepared us for the wines they pulled from the archive at the event. Valter Mlečnik and his son Klemen Mlečnik presented their Mlečnik Rebula 2009 and Mlečnik Ana Cuvée 2011. We sampled the Mlečnik Rebula 2009 twice during the trip. It was the best wine of the trip. Hold on, it was the best amber wine we tasted in 2018. Why we love it: Mlečnik Rebula 2009 is the epitome of harmony in a bottle. Nothing sticks out, nothing is left behind. It hits every point on the palate with concentration and focus. A true masterpiece. If this wine is indicative of where Vipavska Rebula (Rebula/Ribolla Gialla wine from Vipava Valley) is heading, then we are in for an enormous treat.

Ramos Pinto, Vintage Port, 1982 (Douro, Portugal)

Shortly after our time in Slovenia, we were on the road again, this time to Portugal. The AEVP (Association of Port Wine Companies, also known as Caves do Vinho do Porto) had invited us to Port Wine Day and the declaration ceremony of the 2016 Vintage Port.

Charine is resolutely partial to Port because her first sip of wine at a tender age was a Tawny Port. We were assigned to visit and stay a night at Ramos Pinto in the Douro. Jorge Rosas, Export Director and heir of the family winery, took us through the Ramos Pinto portfolio including a few older vintage Ports. When Charine tasted the Ramos Pinto Vintage Port 1982, she instantly knew it would be on this list. Why we love it: It’s Matt’s birth year wine, so that gives it an extra sheen. Ramos Pinto Vintage Port 1982 has absolutely the most divine bouquet of walnut cookie and meringue. Medium-bodied palate with resolved tannins. The finish is so long that it can keep one company for the whole evening.

Argentiera, Bolgheri Superiore, 2015 (Tuscany, Italy)

After Portugal, we returned to Croatia for a press tour to all four major wine regions, made a short trip to Vienna for the Orange Wine Festival 2018, and judged at the IWCB wine competition in Romania. As winter approached, we headed back to Charine’s home country Singapore to escape the cold. Along the way, we made a convenient detour to Hong Kong, where we shared a number of memorable wines with our friends including a Ridge Monte Bello 1998 and a Bruno Giacosa Santo Stefano Barbaresco 2007. We also attended Pinot Palooza and James Suckling’s Great Wines of Italy; the latter was where we tasted the final wine on our list. Why we love it: We tasted Argentiera Bolgheri Superiore 2015 next to Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia 2015. Wine Spectator named the Sassicaia 2015 the number one wine of the year; it’s a stellar wine but the Argentiera is equally impressive and comes at a fraction of the price.

Honorable Mentions:

Bosnia-Herzegovina: Brkić Greda Žilavka 2015 (Mostar), Čitluk Blatina Grand Cru 2011 (Mostar), Nuić Trnjnak 2015 (Mostar) Croatia: Bire Grk Defora 2016 (Dalmatia), Krajančič Statute 2015 (Dalmatia), Benvenuti Muškat San Salvatore 2013 (Istria), Enjingi Venje Bijelo 1998 (Slavonia) France: Château Bel Air Marquis d’Aligre Margaux 2004 (Bordeaux), Château Smith Haut Lafitte Red 2005 (Bordeaux), Liber Pater 2009 (Bordeaux), Damoy Gevrey Chambertin Clos Tamisot 2014 (Burgundy), Tarlant Cuvee Louis NV (Champagne), Domaine Cazes Rivesaltes Cuvée Aimé Cazes 1978 (Roussillon) Greece: Château Porto Carras 2008 (Meliton Slopes), Markovitis Xinomavro 2012 (Naoussa) Hungary: Erzsebét Pince Tokaji Aszú 6 Puttonyos 2003 (Tokaj), Lenkey Úrágya Furmint 2006 (Tokaj), Oremus Tokaji Aszú 6 Puttonyos 1999 (Tokaj) Moldova: Chateau Vartely Ice Wine Riesling 2017  New Zealand: Craggy Range Aroha Te Muna 2016 (Martinborough) Portugal: Bulas Porto Colheita 1996, Churchill’s Vintage Port 2016, Ramos Pinto 30 Year Old Tawny Port, Quinta do Vale Meão Vintage Port 2016, Quinta do Vallado Vintage Port 2016, Taylor Fladgate Quinta de Vargellas Vintage Port 2015, Vasques de Carvalho 30 Year Old Tawny Port, Vallado Vintage Port 2016, Vieira de Sousa Agua Alta Vintage Port 2016 Italy: Terlan Nova Domus Terlaner Riserva 2015 (Alto-Adige), Fratelli Serra Vernaccia di Oristano 2002 (Sardinia), Argiano Brunello di Montalcino 2013 (Tuscany), Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve 2015 (Tuscany), Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia 2015 (Tuscany), Antinori Tignanello 2015 (Tuscany), Fontodi Vigna del Sorbo Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2015 (Tuscany), Quintarelli Giuseppe Amarone Della Valpolicella 2003 (Veneto) Romania: Davino Flamboyant 2012 (Dealu Mare) Slovakia: J&J Ostrožović Tokajské Výber 6 Putñový 2003 (Tokaj), Organic Cuvée Marie Vallis Albus Exclusive Biele Suché 2015 (Strekov, Južnoslovenskà/South Slovakia) Slovenia: Batič Angel Pinela 2015 (Vipava Valley), Movia Veliko Rdeće 1998 (Goriška Brda) Spain: R. Lopez de Heredia Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva 1995 (Rioja), Remelluri Rioja Blanco 2012 (Rioja) USA: Christian Brothers Cabernet Sauvignon 1974 (Napa Valley), Cliff Lede Poetry 2005 (Napa Valley), Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 1979 (Napa Valley), Heitz Martha’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 1997 (Napa Valley), Schramsberg Reserve Late Disgorged 1997 (Napa Valley), VHR Vine Hill Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville 2015 (Napa Valley), Bonaccorsi Pinot Noir John Sebastiano Vineyard 2014 (Santa Barbara), Liquid Farm Golden Slope 2015 (Santa Barbara), Samsara Pinot Noir Las Hermanas 2013 (Santa Barbara), Ridge Monte Bello 1998 (Santa Cruz)  Dishes of the Year: Baby squid ink barley with sheep cheese (Hotel Ola, Croatia), Pag lamb on grill (Boškinac Restaurant, Croatia), pasta with blue crab from Croatia’s Neretva river (Hotel Merlot, Croatia), fresh aoli with escargot from Vallée de l’Agly (Roussillon, France), Burrata cheese from Puglia (Italy), Pasticciotti (1489 Food Pop Gallipoli in Italy), raw seafood at Ristorante Al Pescatore (Bari, Puglia, Italy), Idrijski Žlikrofi (Gostilna pri Škafarju, Slovenia) Food and Wine Pairing of the Year: Meadowood Napa Valley’s roasted squab with smooked cranberry, salted clementine and parsip paired with Chase Cellars ‘Hayne Vineyard’ Zinfandel 2015 (Napa Valley)–wine selected by Gillian Ballance MS Restaurant of the Year: Boškinac (Novalja, Pag Island, Croatia) Sommelier of the Year: Tihomir Purišić (Dubravkin Put Restaurant in Zagreb, Croatia) Wine Event of the Year: Premiere Napa Valley’s Oakville AVA Tasting Winery Visit of the Year: Ramos Pinto (Douro, Portugal)

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    Do you want to try unique wines?

If you want to savor the exquisite flavor of unique wines, look no further than wineandmore.com. With many options from different winemakers, it’s easy to find exactly what your palate desires. Not sure which bottle is best for you? Try out one of their curated wine cases and discover the perfect vintage for any occasion!

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Want to learn more about wine?

Are you ready to discover the wonderful world of wines? Come join us at wineandmore.com, and let’s explore the incredible selection of delicious wines together! We can’t wait to share our passion for wine with you!

The opinions expressed are our own and have not been paid for in any way. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

The post Exotic Wine Travel’s 18 Wines of 2018 appeared first on Wine Travel.

We’ve been on the road non-stop since May 2015. For over three years, we’ve been traveling full-time around the world, exploring both lesser-known and established wine regions. It’s a lot of traveling and a lot of learning; yet, we’ve barely scratched the surface of this enormous wine world. Since we can’t be everywhere and learn everything first-hand, we rely on wine reference books to endow us with a sense of surefootedness wherever we land and whenever we drink. The books we often use are The Wine Bible, The Oxford Companion to Wine, and Wine Grapes. Can the new edition of Wine Folly book, Wine Folly: Magnum Edition, The Master Guide, by Madeline Puckette and Justin Hammack be another one of our go-to books?
 

Wine Folly: Magnum Edition, The Master Guide

We thought it’d be a mammoth coffee-table book (the title says MAGNUM!) but it’s a manageable size at 9.5 x 7.5 x 1.0 inches and 320 pages. So what’s new in this magnum edition that wasn’t already in the first edition of Wine Folly: The Essential Guide to Wine?

First, in terms of quantifiable content, the magnum edition has about two times (maybe that’s what the “magnum” in the title implies?) as much content as the first Wine Folly book, with an additional 100 pages. Second, the first edition has about 50 wine grapes listed while the new magnum edition has 100. Third, the first book has around 20 maps while the new edition has 35.

Madeline Puckette also mentioned that the new book is intended to appeal better to wine professionals as opposed to the first edition, which was consumer-centric. This is a smart move as we believe that some of Wine Folly’s original readers (the first Wine Folly book was released in September 2015) might have also moved up the ‘wine knowledge’s hierarchy’, and the new edition would be something they can continue to grow with.

Review: What Exotic Wine Travel Thinks of the New Wine Folly Book

Wine Folly: Magnum Edition, The Master Guide starts out with an introduction to wine—including wine basics such as wine tasting techniques, how to serve wine, and how wine is made—before diving into grape varieties/wine types, then wine regions. Most wine books designed for advanced wine drinkers are arranged by countries, and we value Wine Folly‘s approach because it’s easier for wine novices to understand and remember certain information. The wine industry is known for its engagement and education problems. How many of us have, once or twice, carelessly slipping into the heinous wine snob’s suit while trying to talk about wine to a seemingly less discerning wine consumer? In this regard, wine communicators can learn a lot from the way Wine Folly presents wine information to wine lovers who are just getting started.

Image C – Modified image; adapted from winefolly.com.

THE GOOD

• As you would expect from any work by Madeline Puckette, Wine Folly: Magnum Edition, The Master Guide is decorated with engaging and visually appealing graphics, which offer an approachable overtone to a wine book.
• The new Wine Folly book has dedicated a 12-page section to “Food & Wine”, which contains guidelines to flavor pairing. It’s a compact section that offers fundamental rules yet encourages readers to be open-minded and create their own gastronomy adventures. Note: Charine appreciates this section while Matt finds it utterly confusing and unhelpful.
• The “Body-Sweetness-Tannins-Acidity-Alcohol” chart is a thoughtful and simple way to help people imagine the taste of a wine. [Refer to #1 on Image C]
• The “primary flavors and aromas” charts are easy to understand and remember. [Refer to #2 on Image C]
• The “Where It Grows” sections surprise us with many mentions of lesser-known wine countries such as Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Czech Republic, Peru, Cyprus, and… CROATIA! [Refer to #3 on Image C]
• The “Also Try” sections, which highlight other wines with a similar flavor profile is an effective way to help drinkers expand their palates and preferences. [Refer to #4 on Image C]
• The book contains several write-ups about less-common grapes, such as Falanghina, Furmint, Moschofilero, and Schiava.

THE NOT-SO-GOOD

We write books too, and we understand how difficult it is to fact check, spell check, and meet demanding deadlines. As such, we point out these errors with empathy.

• The book states that orange winemaking originated in Northeast Italy and Slovenia. Eh… ‘modern orange winemaking’ perhaps, but the true origin of orange winemaking is in Georgia. Unless the premise is that macerated wine from Georgia isn’t ‘orange wine’ but amber wine?
• The wine region maps leave us feeling a bit unsettled. While the maps are appealing and digestible, many of them come with a “Not all regions are shown on map” note. We love thorough maps but understand that’s a lot to ask for.
• Croatia’s flagship red wine grape Plavac Mali is mentioned on the page about Zinfandel. OH YES. But… wait… hey… Plavac Mali is misspelled as “Plavic Mali”.
• A bit of nitpicking here: there’s no mention of Saumur-Champigny on the “Cabernet Franc” page. Also, no mention of Frankovka on the “Blaufränkisch” when Croatia, Czech Republic, and Slovakia are listed under “Where It Grows”. Suggestion: it might be better to move the synonyms to the “Where It Grows” section and state the wine synonyms next to each relevant country.

Conclusion:

The Wine Folly: Magnum Edition: The Master Guide is a useful reference guide best suited for wine beginners and wine enthusiasts who want to expand their palates and try new wines. For that demographic, this is the book to own. Industry professionals will find things to pick on, but this book can probably still teach them a thing or two about how to simplify wine information and communicate effectively to consumers.

Did we learn something new from this book? Yes, of course. We didn’t know that Sangiovese is cultivated in Ethiopia! Waaaaaww!

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You May Also Enjoy:

• Wine Folly’s website 
• Wine Folly’s YouTube channel 

Disclosure: Avery/Penguin Random House gave us a sample copy of The Wine Folly: Magnum Edition: The Master Guide. Please note that the opinions expressed are our own and have not been paid for in any way. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

The post Review – New Wine Folly Book: Magnum Edition, The Master Guide appeared first on Wine Travel.

The Adriatic-Powered Wine and Seafood from Istria

Watch “Cracking Croatian Wine in Istria, Part 4 of 4” on Exotic Wine Travel YouTube:

Timestamps: Cracking Croatian Wine in Istria, Part 4/4

(0:58) Introduction to the seaside town of Poreč. (1:30) Meet Milan Budinski, winemaker of Vina Laguna Winery and former national spearfishing champion. He catches some fresh shellfish from the Adriatic Sea for us to taste. (2:39) Milan Budinski and his wife Ivana Budinski prepare an Adriatic seafood feast from our morning catch. The meal is paired well with a Malvazija Istarska wine from Vina Laguna Winery. (4:35) Learn about the terra rossa (Italian for “red earth”) soil of western Istria. Terra rossa is a red, clay-like soil with good drainage characteristics. (6:17) Meet Dimitri Brečević of Piquentum Winery. He takes us up to the remote village of Vrh and shows us some vineyards. (7:27) Meet Adriano Grbac of Grbac Winery, one of the first wineries in Croatia to make traditional-method sparkling wine. He doesn’t sell his wines in retail shops, so these wines can only be bought at the cellar. (9:12) Discover one of the most famous restaurants in Istria, Konoba Stari Podrum. (10:12) Meet Marino Markežić and Ana Markežić of Kabola Winery, a certified organic wine producer. Kabola is best known for its Malvazija and Teran wines, including a few examples made in amphora (Georgian qvevri). (12:18) We wrap up our time in Istria and offer a preview of the upcoming episodes about Dalmatia.

View, like, share the full episode on our Facebook Page:

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    Do you want to try Croatian wines?

If you’re looking to savor the exquisite flavor of Croatian wines, look no further than wineandmore.com. With an abundance of options from different winemakers, it’s easy to find exactly what your palate desires. Not sure which bottle is best for you? Try out one of their curated wine cases and discover the perfect vintage for any occasion!

************

Want to learn more about wine?

Are you ready to discover the wonderful world of wines? Come join us at wineandmore.com and let’s explore the incredible selection of delicious wines together! We can’t wait to share our passion for wine with you!

You May Also Enjoy: Making Cracking Croatian Wine

Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are unsolicited and have not been paid for in any way by governmental bodies, enterprises, or individuals. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

The post Cracking Croatian Wine in Istria (Part 4/4) appeared first on Wine Travel.

Hello! Welcome to As Drunk by Exotic Wine Travel, a weekly column where we feature interesting wines that we encourage you to seek out. The reviews featured in this series may be written by either one or the both of us. The featured wines can be from obscure or well-known wine regions. We hope that these wine recommendations will keep you gastronomically curious and your palate invigorated!

Crama Rasova Imperfect

Crama Rasova is a young Romanian winery located within the Romanian DOC of Murfatlar, near the village of Cernavoda and the Black Sea. When we visited Romania in the summer of 2018, the region wasn’t on our itinerary. However, wine judge Paul Robert Blom reached out to us and suggested we give the wines of Crama Rasova a taste. Thanks to Paul and Zoe Ghiuri (owner of Crama Rasova), we received a sample pack during our stay in Dealu Mare.

The pack included Crama Rasova’s entry-level wines as well as their top bottlings. The “Imperfect” line consists of their flagship wines. Those wines took us by surprise; they represent a step-up from the other wines in Crama Rasova’s portfolio.

• Crama Rasova, Imperfect Fetească Albă 2017

Fetească Albă translates to “white young girl”. According to the Oxford Companion to Wine, it originates from Moldovia (which is present-day Moldova region of Romania and the Republic of Moldova) and is the second most widely planted grape in Romania. Most examples we’ve had are fresh, crisp, and floral.

The grapes were kept in 10-degrees-Celcius environment for 12 hours, then sorted, and partially pressed while another part was left to macerate for another two days before pressing. After fermentation, 30% was aged in new French oak barriques for 6 months with periodical bâtonnage. 13% alcohol, 1.9g/l residual sugar, 5.2g/l total acidity. 

Crama Rasova Imperfect Fetească Albă 2017 has a more generous yellow hue, unlike most Fetească Albă wines, and gives a hint to oxygenation or maceration. It has a wonderful nose of chamomile, stone fruit, mint, and citrus with a touch of flint. It’s medium-bodied with good texture and a slightly bitter-almond finish. A lot of aromatic grapes can taste great as macerated wine, especially if a good level of acidity is retained—this is the case here with Crama Rasova Imperfect Fetească Albă 2017. It’s one of the best Fetească Albă on the market right now.  4.1/5

• Crama Rasova, Imperfect Fetească Neagră 2015

Fetească Neagră translates to “black young girl” and originates from Moldovia. We’ve tasted several examples of this grape; the majority are rich, high in alcohol, and plummy.

The grapes were kept in 10-degrees-Celcius environment for 12 hours, then sorted, destemmed, and brought into tanks for a 48-hour maceration. Fermentation was inoculated and lasted for five days at 22 degrees-Celcius with daily pump-over and punch-down, followed by a brief post-fermentation maceration, then racking, and preparation for induced malolactic fermentation. Finally, the wine was moved to barrels of all sizes from France and Romania for 12 months of aging, then transferred into bottles for another 12 months of aging before release. 14.5% alcohol, 4g/l residual sugar, 4.1g/l total acidity.

Crama Rasova Imperfect Fetească Neagră 2015 has a dark red color with notes of blackberry, violet, dried herbs, and white pepper. The wine is full-bodied and rich on the palate. It shows good oak integration and chewy tannins that lead to a spicy and smokey finish. Fetească Neagră wines can often be quite jammy, and this wine has managed to avoid crossing the line (Matt appreciates this wine more than Charine, who prefers to have more fresh and uplifting fruit flavors). The high alcohol doesn’t mask the flavors but carries them forward. This wine is built to age and will need a few more years before it shows its true potential. 4.0/5

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