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 fifth and final episode about Dalmatia, ‘Cracking Croatian Wine In Brač & Hvar’.

The Croatian Wine Region of Slavonia

Most wine geeks have heard of Slavonia, but usually, they associate it with high-quality oak for barrels. Very few people are aware that Slavonia is a Croatian wine region. This continental region is located in the eastern reaches of Croatia.

In addition to wine, this region is home to the Croatian specialty Kulen. It is a pork sausage spiced with paprika. This dense meat is served sliced and makes a perfect pairing with the local wines.

Slavonia is a versatile region capable of producer red & white Croatian wines. One of the principle grape varieties is Graševina (commonly known as Welschriesling, Olaszrizling, Laški Riesling, Italian Riesling, etc) but red grapes like Merlot, Zweigelt, Frankovka (Blaufränkisch), Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Syrah also flourish here.

The best thing is that these wines represent some of the finest values in Croatian wine. Come explore the region with us in ‘Cracking Croatian Wine: Zagreb & Slavonia’.

Watch “Cracking Croatian Wine: Zagreb & Slavonia” on Exotic Wine Travel YouTube:

Timestamps: Cracking Croatian Wine Zagreb & Slavonia

(1:04) Come be a local with us in Zagreb. We will take you to the Trešnjevka Market for our favorite local snack from Burek Mira. After grabbing a snack, we’ll take you to our favorite coffee place in Zagreb Teneo Coffee.

(2:08) Joins us for dinner at Dubravkin Put. This is our favorite restaurant in Zagreb and the head sommelier Tihomir Purišić has assembled one of the finest wine lists in Croatia.

(5:28) Take a road trip with us to the Croatian wine region of Slavonia. This region was founded by the Cistercian Monks in the 13th century. They set up a wine cellar in Kutjevo that is still producing commercial wine.

(5:58) Meet Krunoslav Sontacchi, owner and winemaker at Sontacchi Winery. Together with his brother Antun, Krunoslav runs a winery and guesthouse in the center of Kutjevo. Sontacchi produces one of the most sought after Pinot Noirs in Croatia in addition to an excellent Cabernet Franc.

(7:04) Have dinner and breakfast with us at Sontacchi Guesthouse. They cook excellent, honest food from sourced local ingredients.

(8:44) Meet Ivan Enjingi of Enjingi Winery, the first to privately bottle wine in Croatia. Mr. Enjingi put Croatia on the map by winning the Regional Trophy for Best White Wine at the Decanter World Wine Awards. Ivan won the award with his white wine named ‘Venje’. It continues to be an iconic Croatian white wine.

(10:25) Slavonia is a potentially great wine region but definitely has its obstacles. Learn more about Slavonia’s struggles here.

(10:44) Join us for a private tasting at Krauthaker Winery. Vlado Krauthaker is a Croatian wine pioneer. He is always experimenting and produces a wide range of white, orange, and red wines that always deliver high quality. A tasting at the cellar always turns out to be a huge event.

(12:24) Discover a few other high-quality producers in Slavonia including Kutjevo Cellars, Adžić, Feravino, Perak, and Orahovica.

(12:43) Come taste with us at Galić Winery. Local businessman Josip Galić just opened a modern, state-of-the-art cellar in the heart of Kutjevo. They produce quality wines that are widely available throughout Croatia. His latest sparkling wines made with the Champagne method are worth seeking out.

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

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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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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: Zagreb & Slavonia appeared first on Wine Travel.

Updated: 20 April, 2021

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!

Zlatý Roh

One of our favorite wineries in central and eastern Europe is Slovak.

Located just outside Bratislava in the village of Devín, Zlatý Roh is a young winery with a bright future. These are minimal intervention Slovak wines. Their vineyards are located on the Danube and you can see Northern Burgenland (Austria) just across the river. Winemaker Filip Nagy works with organically farmed grapes and ferments the wines spontaneously with native yeasts.

We first visited the estate in 2018, during our second whirlwind tour through the Slovak wine regions. Filip immediately impressed us with his energy, focus, and vision. This is a small project now, just done out of a garage but the plans are to expand the vineyards and build a new winery. That’s all in the future, for now, these are some of the most exciting wines coming out of Slovakia. Get your hands on them if you can!

Wine Recommendations

You can find out more about our scoring system on the WINE RATING page.

• Zlatý Roh, Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

This is the first vintage of Zlatý Roh Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon. There are notes of blackberry, pine, graphite, and sour cherry notes. It’s all fruit at this point. Fresh and full in body with a touch of green notes on the finish. It’s young now and should round into form in a few years. For a natural red, this is very solid and should cellar well, possibly deserving an uptick in score. Score: 89/100

• Zlatý Roh, Blanc 2018

The Blanc is our favorite wine from Zlatý Roh every vintage. It’s a barrel-fermented blend of Grüner Veltliner and Riesling. Notes of sweet peach, sliced apricots, grass, lime, and a touch of white pepper. This is a full-bodied, unfiltered, and unfined white. It’s slightly cloudy with a tangy finish, no tannins. Score: 91/100

• Zlatý Roh, Pinot Noir 2018

The Zlatý Roh Pinot Noir is very old world in style, it’s more of an earthy, vegetal wine. Notes of soil, greens, fall leaves, and mushroom with strawberry. It really smells like a forest floor with a touch of forest berries. Silky smooth palate with concentration and a long finish. There is some grippy tannin. This has a future in the cellar, its made in the spirit of Burgundy. Score: 91/100

• Zlatý Roh, Veltlínské Zelené 2018

Another brilliant white from Zlatý Roh is this Grüner Veltliner, which is golden in color. Notes of lime, basil, grass, and white pepper. It’s a full-bodied, unfiltered wine. It’s so ripe that you wouldn’t expect it to be from Slovakia. Bright, focused fruit and a peppery finish. Score: 90/100

New 2019 Vintage

Zlatý Roh changed up the labels with the 2019 vintage. The style remains the same but the wines are named after the vineyard of origin. This is another set of beautiful wines from this boutique Slovak producer. The Riesling and Pinot Noir really stood out to me in this set of wines.

• Zlatý Roh, ‘Goldeck Purweg’ Blanc 2019

The Zlatý Roh, ‘Goldeck Purweg’ Blanc is a bend of Grüner Veltliner and Riesling aged in wood and amphora for 6 months. I have loved every vintage of this wine in the past. Notes of green guava, pineapple, grass, pine cone, and a kiss of oak. At this point, the nose is a little shy but the palate is where it comes to life. Plenty of explosive green and white-fleshed fruits upfront with crushed rocks on the backend. The texture is the key to this wine. There’s a lot of substance here and vibrant acidity. Long finish. Score: 91/100

• Zlatý Roh, ‘Purweg’ Riesling 2019

This Zlatý Roh, ‘Purweg’ Riesling is a beautiful, minimal intervention white. Notes of honey, white pepper, white pineapple, and green guava. On the palate, the fruit is crunchy and layered. There’s a vibrant spine of acidity that runs through the wine. The skins were in contact for 12 hours, which leaves a very faint trace of tannin. Gorgeous wine. Score: 92/100

• Zlatý Roh, ‘Goldeck’’ Veltlínske Zelené 2019 

The Zlatý Roh, ‘Goldeck’’ Veltlínske Zelené 2019 is Grüner Veltliner fermented in cask and amphora and aged for 10 months. Flavors of baked apple, grass, white pepper, and passion fruit. The wine is a bit shy right now but there’s a lot of texture here. There is a small amount of tannins and limey acidity. With time in the bottle, this could very well deserve an uptick in score. Score: 89/100 

*Check out the 2020 fermenting in the video below

• Zlatý Roh, ‘Goldeck’ Pinot Noir 2019

The Zlatý Roh, Pinot Noir 2019 is partially fermented with whole clusters (50%) and aged in cask and amphora for 10 months. Delicious, earthy Pinot Noir. Notes of sour cherry, cranberry, fall leaves, pepper, and earth. It’s unmistakably Old World Pinot Noir on the nose. Silky smooth palate with soft tannins. There’s a spiciness on the finish that’s undeniably good. Put this in the cellar and watch it bloom. Score: 91+/100

• Zlatý Roh, ‘Purweg’ Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

The Zlatý Roh, ‘Purweg’ Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend aged in oak. This has considerable alcohol levels for how far north it is grown (14.3%). It shows more earth and cool climate characteristics. Notes of cherry, earth, tobacco, and fall leaves. On the palate, it’s silky smooth and some capsicum notes emerge. Chewy tannins. Don’t expect Bordeaux but do expect a delicious, complex red blend. Score: 89/100

You might also enjoy:

Exotic Wine Travel Slovak Wine Articles

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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 Slovak Wine With Style: Zlatý Roh appeared first on Wine Travel.

“What’s it like to work with such a big personality in the wine world?”

“She’s actually fantastic and listens to input and gives some flexibility in the cellar,” answered Ettore Rizzi. He’s a fiery ambitious man who is deeply involved with the production at Fattoria le Pupille. Ettore also happens to be the son of Elisabetta Geppetti.

Elisabetta is often credited for putting the DOCG Morellino di Scansano on the map. Her estate, Fattoria le Pupille produces around 500,000 bottles of wine in Southern Tuscany from 75 hectares of vineyards. Their range spans from a value-driven Morellino di Scansano all the way to their ambitious Super Tuscan known as ‘Saffredi’.

Her son Ettore is now working in the cellar and is crucial in the final blending and overall production.

Fattoria le Pupille

The first time I came across Fattoria le Pupille was during a small, intimate trade tasting in Belgrade, Serbia. Elisabetta Geppetti walked me through several of her wines including her staple Morellino di Scansano Riserva and classy Poggio Valente. The wines smelled of Tuscany and really spoke to me.

Fast forward a few years later and I found myself on a casual Zoom tasting with wine lovers and sommeliers from around the world. It just so happened that Ettore Rizzi was on the call too. I immediately appreciated his passion, understanding, and curiosity towards wine. After several calls, Ettore chose to send me the current releases from the estate.

Tasting through the latest vintages of Fattoria le Pupille was one good thing that came out of the dreaded year of 2020. The entry-level Fattoria le Pupille, Morellino di Scansano offers tremendous value for money while the reserve wines can compete with the best of Tuscany. The biggest surprise for me is the new Poggio Argentato, a wine that breaks the stereotype that all Tuscan whites are boring.

Here’s a look at the latest vintages from Fattoria le Pupille.

• Fattoria le Pupille, Poggio Argentato 2019

The Fattoria le Pupille, Poggio Argentato is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Petit Manseng, Traminer, and Sémillon. Most of the wine is kept in stainless steel while part of the cuvée is aged in oak. Notes of white pear, honey, white peach, yogurt, and a touch of white flower. This is a white that is full of flavor and is fun to drink. The Sauvignon Blanc doesn’t dominate in the blend, which is a good thing. Score: 91/100

• Fattoria le Pupille, Morellino di Scansano 2019

The Fattoria le Pupille, Morellino di Scansano is mostly Sangiovese with a touch of Alicante Bouchet and Ciliegiolo. This is the backbone of the estate. This is a fun red with notes of sour cherry, strawberry, mineral, and a touch of tangerine-peel. It’s not just a boring, simple red – it has earthiness and complexity. The sour cherry notes dominate, which I love. There are some chewy tannins here along with the juicy acidity. For an inexpensive red, this could improve with some time in the bottle. Pick this up by the case! Score: 89/100

• Fattoria le Pupille, Morellino di Scansano Riserva 2017

The Fattoria le Pupille, Morellino di Scansano Riserva is mostly Sangiovese with a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon aged in large cask for 15 months. This just screams Tuscany in the glass. Brilliant nose of sour cherry, cedar, tobacco, earthy, and even a touch of capsicum. There is so much sweet and sour cherry fruit on the front palate that it engulfs your palate. Earth and tobacco nuances come around on the end and there’s a tangerine-peel acidity on the long finish. Tannins are chewy and this can be enjoyed right away but it should keep in the cellar in the medium term. Very good, warmer climate Sangiovese. Score: 93/100

• Fattoria le Pupille, Poggio Valente 2018

The Fattoria le Pupille, Poggio Valente is 100% Sangiovese aged for 18 months in large casks. Very impressive Sangiovese from Maremma. Notes of dried cherry, raspberry, blueberry mint, and tobacco. Ripe and chewy on the palate, there is plenty of fruit here and it’s sweet red fruits. It’s a wine with plenty of structure, great oak integration, and just a touch of wildness. A ripe, concentrated, and structured Sangiovese with length and a spicy finish. This is a great Sangiovese that can stack up to the best of Brunello, Nobile, and Chianti Classico. Score: 94+/100

• Fattoria le Pupille, Saffredi 2018

The Fattoria le Pupille, Saffredi is an Italian icon and is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. It’s not big and rich, it’s got ripeness with some finesse. Notes of black cherry, black plum, hazelnut, sweet cedar, and a touch of earth. It’s full-bodied with chewy tannins. This is a baby now but should age into something spectacular. Fine-grained tannins.

This is just starting to hit the shelves now. If you pick it up, plan on cellaring it for another five to ten years. At that point, it should blossom and deserve a high uptick in the score. Score: 94/100

Fattoria le Pupille provided tasting samples. 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 Fattoria le Pupille: More Than Morellino appeared first on Wine Travel.

Slovenia is a tiny country sandwiched between Austria and Italy. For a country with such a small stature (area-wise), it over-delivers in terms of wine quality. It has nearly 22,000 hectares (54,000 acres) of land dedicated to vineyards, 70% of production is white wine.

This doesn’t mean you should sleep on Slovenian red wine. Thanks to the cool air from the Alps and the proximity to the Adriatic Sea, the growing conditions for wine grapes in Slovenia is excellent. These ideal conditions allow for world-class Slovenian red wine made from both international and regional grapes.

Slovenian Red Wine

Slovenia is divided into three main wine regions: Podravje and Posavje in the easy with Primorska (Primorje) in the west bordering Italy. These three regions are broken down into several sub-regions as you can see below. Of the three main wine regions, it’s Primorska in the west that’s home to most of the high-quality Slovenian red wine.

Primorska is divided further into the wine districts of Slovenska Istria, Kras, Vipava, and Goriška Brda. In Slovenska Istra and Kras (which is an extension of Italy’s Carso region), you’ll find reds made from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Barbera, and Refošk. Vipava has much of the same in addition to Modri Pinot (Pinot Noir), Modra Frankinja (Blaufrankisch), and even Schiopettino. Goriška Brda is an extension of Italy’s Collio region. Goriška Brda (Brda for short) is heavily focused on the Bordeaux grapes in addition to scant traces of Pinot Noir.

Reds from the eastern regions of Posavje and Podravje are mostly made from Modra Frankinja, Zweigelt, and Modri Pinot. While these regions are mostly renowned for whites, there are several gorgeous Slovenian red wines being made with the quality increasing in every vintage. I’ve lately been impressed with several Modri Pinots coming out of Štajerska (district of Podravje) in addition to Modra Frankinja from Bela Krajina (district of Posavje).

World-Class Wine Quality

I’m convinced that Slovenian red wines are of world-class quality. In my past encounters, it was Bordeaux blends from Goriška Brda usually reigned supreme. It’s refreshing to see that things are changing. When it comes to red wines, Slovenia is no longer a one-trick pony.

The Pinot Noirs continue to improve and there are some impressive examples to be found. I would have liked to include more in this article but didn’t get the chance to taste a big range this year. If you are a Pinot lover, keep your eye on Slovenia.

My hope is that producers in the east continue to focus on Blaufränkisch, a variety that is underappreciated. While ‘Super Istrian’ blends of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Refošk is a promising category in Slovenian Istra. There are excellent examples of this blend across the border in Croatia and there’s no reason that can be duplicated in Slovenia. The local red grape Refošk makes high-quality wines when done well. Still, too many examples have enamel-searing acidity and show a tad too much rusticity for most palates.

One of Slovenia’s top Sommeliers, Valentin Bufolin, has witnessed a noticeable improvement in Slovenian red wine over last few years. “We are located in two climatic zones, one warm and the other continental,” Valentin explains. “A lot has been done to understand better what terrain and climate can contribute and how appropriate clone selection can help.”

Valentin is bullish on the future of Slovenian red wine. “With the effects of global warming and technological development, new knowledge, clone selection, the introduction of new grape varieties, and identification of best plots, we will see more and more world-class reds from Slovenia.”

That’s great to hear but luckily for me (and the consumer), the future is now. Here are several impressive Slovenian red wines I tasted over the last year.

Slovenian Red Wine Recommendations:

Discover great Slovenian red wine at wineandmore.com

Slovene Istra (Primorska)

• Korenika & Moškon, Modri Pinot 2007

The Korenika & Moškon, Modri Pinot is an Old World-style of Pinot Noir aged in wood. This is a developed wine with notes of leather, tobacco, cherry, and a touch of mint. For a wine that’s nearly 13 years old, there is still a lot of vibrancy of the fruit. The cherry flavors and acidity are sharp and defined. The wine might be a tad too tannic for many Pinot Noir lovers but I really enjoy it. Score: 91/100

• Korenika & Moškon, Bis 2017

The Korenika & Moškon, Bis is a blend of Merlot and Pinot Noir aged in stainless steel. Many might disregard this lighter red but I absolutely adore it. Bursting with sweet & sour cherry fruit, graphite, tobacco, and a earth. The fruit is plush and mouth coating. The tannins are fine and smooth. A juicy, easy-going red with a hint of complexity. Get’s a slight uptick in score because of the drinkability and ‘delicious’ factor. Score: 90/100

• Zaro, Gran Morer 2016

The Zaro, Gran Morer is a ‘Super Istrian’ blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Refošk (Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso). There’s a beautiful rustic quality to this nose with notes of black cherry, black raspberry, iron, meat, and black pepper. Full-bodied on the palate, with high acidity. This is listed at 16% ABV but handles the alcohol well. It’s unique, a little wild, and very enjoyable. Score: 90/100

• Ražman, Refošk Ater 2015

The Ražman, Refošk Ater is a single-vineyard Refosco d’Istria (Terrano) aged in wood. It has a savage, Syrah-like nose. Notes of forest berry, rusty nail, iron, meat, and black pepper. It’s a juicy red at 12.5% alcohol. The acidity is high, so you will need some food to pair with this. It’s a tad rustic but fans of Italian reds should be right at home here. Chewy tannins. Score: 90/100

• Ražman, Popetris 2015

The Ražman, Popetris is blend of Refosco d’Istria, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah. Gorgeous nose with a blend of sour cherry, black raspberry, chewing tobacco, smoke, and pepper. Full in body, there is so much complexity here. The fruit hits first on the palate before all of the complexities take over. This still tastes remarkable young for its vintage date. Peppery finish and fine tannins. Score: 91+/100

Goriška Brda (Primorska)

• Movia, Pinot Noir 2013

The Movia, Pinot Noir isn’t the bright, fruity Pinot Noir that you know. This is considerably darker and denser. Aged in wood for 48 months, there are notes of leather, chocolate, blackberry, dried rose petal, and fall leaves. For a wine that ages for a long time, there is a lot of bright acidity. Long, forest berry finish. Score: 91/100

• Movia, Veliko Rdeče 2011

The Movia, Veliko Rdeče is a blend of mostly Merlot with a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir aged for 72 months in barriques. This is a richer, riper version coming in at 13% ABV (the ones I’ve tasted in the past are 12-12.5%). Opens with a lot of red plum, black cherry, earth, incense, and pepper. Full-bodied and plush on the palate, it finishes with a charming graphite note. Big time tannins. It always ages well and this should be no exception. Score: 93+/100

• Edi Simčič, Duet Lex 2016

The Edi Simčič, Duet Lex is a blend of Merlot with a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Big and burly with a touch of rusticity, which I love. Some basalmic notes with sweet black cherry, tobacco, cedar, black raspberry, and some earthy notes. Full bodied, this tastes a little Central Italian to me. Ripe, chewy tannins and a long finish. I don’t think this is a wine that will go decades in the bottle but it sure is delicious now. Score: 92/100

• Jakončič, Carolina Select 2013

The Jakončič, Carolina Select is 93% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon. It isn’t made every year. Notes of dried black cherry, cigar ash, cedar, and a touch of mocha. This is a real crowd-pleaser. The graphite notes from Merlot emerges on the palate. Full-bodied and chewy with ripe tannins. Long finish. This wine always ages gracefully and this vintage should be no different. It will be released next year and should be kept in the cellar for another five to ten years. Score: 93/100

• Marjan Simčič, ‘Opoka’ Pinot Noir 2016

The Marjan Simčič, ‘Opoka’ Pinot Noir is aged for 27 months in oak. This is a powerful, floral Pinot Noir with notes of cherry, raspberry, chalk, earth, and a touch of white pepper. This is gorgeous on the palate and has a good balance between fruit and savory flavors. It’s silky and round up front with ripe, firm tannins. This has the fruit, acidity, and structure to age beautifully. The tannins are very Burgundian. We believe that this is the best Pinot Noir made in Ex-Yugoslavia vintage after vintage. Score: 93+/100

• Marjan Simčič, Teodor Rosso 2014

The Marjan Simčič, Teodor Rosso is a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon aged for 48 months in oak. Notes of cherry, cassis, tobacco, earth, and mocha. Very complex nose. It’s a big wine on the palate with plenty of dark fruit. The concentration and quality is pretty darn good for such a tough and rainy vintage. The tannins are bitter and espresso-like. This wine shows that you can be big and full bodied without being overly fruity. Score: 93/100

• Marjan Simčič, ‘Opoka’ Merlot 2015

Marjan Simčič, ‘Opoka’ Merlot is 100% Merlot aged in oak for a whopping 48 months. Dark purple in color. The nose is rich with notes of black cherry, red plum, graphite, violets, and just the right amount of toastiness from the wood. It isn’t a shy wine by any stretch, it’s rich on the palate and full-bodied with a generous amount of fruit. Nice floral and graphite notes on the finish that has bright acidity and big tannins. It’s gorgeous now and should age very well. Score: 93+/100

• Štekar, Merlot 2016

The Štekar, Merlot is pure Merlot that is aged for 11 months. It’s had some time to develop in the bottle. Don’t expect a big, brooding monster, but do expect a delicious red. Notes of tomato leaf, sour cherry, earth, and blood orange. This is silky smooth on the palate. It’s 15% alcohol but feels more like 12.5 or 13%. Fruity, earthy, and fun to drink with round tannins. My favorite red from this estate. Score: 90+/100

• Ronk, Selectus Red 2015

This is a Bordeaux blend of 70% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon aged in wood for 36 months. Notes of tobacco, mocha, and graphite accompany the dried red fruit flavors. It’s more of a medium bodied red. I could do with a little less wood but the fruit here is beautiful and the acidity is very pleasant. Developed tannins stick to the palate and just call for stews and meat. This is a red that a lot of people will like. Score: 89/100

• Ronk, Merlot 2015

The Ronk, Merlot from old vines and only saw stainless steel (18 months) and bottle age before release. Pure and impressive nose of black cherry, red plum, graphite, and violets. It’s a red that isn’t round and creamy, there’s plenty of acidity here that makes it more angular. Many palates might be turned off by the sharpness of the wine but I am adoring it along with the chewy tannins. Lengthy finish. Because it doesn’t see oak, the wine is very affordable too. The Selectus Red is a more premium wine but I prefer the Ronk Merlot. Score: 90/100 

• Mulit, Rdeče 2018

The Mulit, Rdeče is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah aged in oak for 21 months. Pretty nose with sour cherry, red plum, meat, tobacco, and oak. The wood is noticeable here but the fruit underneath is pretty enough to handle it. The palate is vibrant thanks to the citrusy acidity. This only has 9% Syrah in the blend but the grape really stands out here. It’s more of an elegant, medium-bodied red with some chewy tannins. This is delicious now but has the potential to develop in the bottle. Suprisingly good stuff. Score: 91/100

• Klet Brda, ‘Bagueri Superior’ Merlot 2016

The Klet Brda, ‘Bagueri Superior’ is 100% Merlot aged in wood for 24 months. The wood is laid down a bit heavy on the nose but the palate brings it back. Notes of plum, oak, tobacco, cherry, and pepper. Plush and round on the palate, this is a full-bodied Merlot that’s easy to drink. Chewy tannins and a sweetish, vanilla finish. I don’t love this wine here but the fruit underneath is good and the wood should integrate with time. Score: 88/100

• Patrick Simčič, Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Patrick Simčič is a new guy on the block and his Cabernet Sauvignon aged in wood for three months and then in concrete. Notes of cherry, crushed violets, leather, and a touch of tobacco. Medium-bodied red that has some nice texture. The tannins here are well done, they are developed and refined. The tobacco-finish is the highlight of this non-fussy red. Score: 88/100

• Prinčič, Mihael Rdeče 2017

The Prinčič, Mihael Redeče is the premium red of the estate, it’s a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir. This red has some rusticity to it but in a charming way. Notes of graphite, red cherry, tobacco, earth, and a touch of pepper. It’s a medium-bodied red that is more savory on the palate than fruity. Nice nuances here and you can feel the wood but it should integrate with time. This is my first time tasting this wine and I’d be interested to see how it ages. It may turn into something very fine with another 5-10 years in the cellar. Score: 90+/100

• Prinčič, Modri Pinot 2017

This is 100% Pinot Noir with a pretty nose of raspberry, earth, leather, and a touch of violets. The nose is unmistakably Pinot Noir. Silky and juicy on the palate with plenty of forest berry fruits. The wood is present here but it never takes away from the prettiness of the wine. This is a brilliant effort for the price point. The tannins are a little grippy and add some tug to the finish. I highly recommend this wine because of its great price point. Score: 90/100

Vipava (Primorska)

• Guerila, Amphora Extreme Red 2016

The Guerila, Amphora Extreme red is Barbera that saw six months of skin contact in amphora and another year of maturation in amphora. Notes of black cherry, hazelnut, dried cranberry, and smoked hickory. It’s surprising that this wine does not see would because I pick some up on the nose. The nose is very complex while the palate is more straightforward (this isn’t a knock). Pure red fruit flavors and pepper glide through the palate. There are some chewy tannins along with the high acidity that should keep this wine healthy in the cellar for many years. Score: 91+/100

• Guerila, Retro Red 2017

The Guerila, Retro Red is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Barbera aged for two years in large cask. Gorgeous nose of red plum, cherry, mocha, cedar, and pepper. It smells of an old world wine with tradition. Rich on the palate with plenty of fruit, this has a touch of rusticity found in Italian reds. Plenty of fruit, plenty of acidity, and chewy tannins and a unique rusty nail quality on the finish. This is fun to drink now and should improve immensely with time in the cellar. Score: 91/100

• Cultus, Red 2017

The Cultus, Red is a blend of approximately half and half Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with a dollop of Pinot Noir. It’s aged for 15-24 months in oak. A similar blend to the more famous Movia Veliko Rdeče. Out of the gate, this smells more like a cool climate red. Notes of cherry, red raspberry, bacon fat, and fall leaves come out here with a touch of perfume. Medium bodied on the palate, the wood comes on heavy at first but the fruit with time in the mouth. Juicy acidity and good tannin management. It would be interesting to hold onto this for another five years. On most occasions I would complain about the oak but for this wine, it just seems to work. Score: 90/100

• Tilia Estate, White Label Merlot 2016

The Tilia Estate, White Label Merlot is 100% Merlot aged in French oak for 16 months. Its shows some bottle age along with notes of plum, black cherry, violets, and mocha. Full bodied and big on the palate. The wood is heavy on the nose but is well integrated on the palate. There is a core of dark fruit held together by some big time tannins. It’s a wine for big meats and winter food. This has the fruit and tannins to last at least another ten years in the cellar. Score: 92/100 

• Tilia Estate, ‘Merljaki’ Pinot Noir 2017

The Tilia Estate, ‘Merljaki’ Pinot Noir is a single vineyard Pinot Noir aged in wood for 16 months. The nose is unmistakably Pinot Noir with notes of cool raspberry, cherry, earth, and tobacco. It doesn’t have the perfume notes that I’d like to see from the grape though. Pretty mouthfeel with plenty of forest fruits. It has the acidity and structure to suggest it could improve even further with time. Score: 90/100

• Mlečnik, Merlot 2011

The Mlečnik, Merlot is 100% Merlot. It’s an old school red that’s aged for two years in wood and a long time in the bottle before release. This is the current vintage. Notes of dried rose petal, dried red plum, tobacco, tomato leaf, and graphite jump out of the glass. The nose smells like a developed wine but the palate is still very fruity. It’s not a big, round, fruity red. This is one with plenty of earthy tones and an angular feel thanks to the grippy tannins. This wine has a target audience, including me. Score: 92/100

• Vipava 1894, ‘Lanthieri’ Storia 2017

The Vipava 1894, ‘Lanthieri’ Storia is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot aged in wood. Notes of cherry, tobacco, mocha, and graphite. It’s more of a medium-bodied Bordeaux blend. Some might want a little more fruit here but the oak integration is still stellar. Tight with chewy tannins on the back end. This is delicious with food and should probably but on nice weight with bottle age. Score: 89/100

• Vipava 1894, ‘Lanthieri’ Modri Pinot 2018

The Vipava 1894, ‘Lanthieri’ Pinot Noir that spent 20 months in small and large oak barrels. Made in a very ‘New World’ style, this is bright and fruity on the first smell. Notes of cherry, raspberry, earth, and a touch of perfume. The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy red fruits. This wine is so close to being a home run, the wood just shows a little too much on the palate (which might not be a detractor for some). Regardless, with food this really shines thanks to the vibrant acidity. Score: 89/100

• Burja, Reddo 2018

The Burja, Reddo is a blend of Schiopettino, Blaufränkisch, and Refošk that’s aged in wood for 18 months. It’s a darker red with impressive notes of black cherry, black pepper, forest twigs, earth, and rusty nail. Full-bodied on the palate, it’s fruiter in the mouth than on the nose. There’s an attractive streak of citrusy acidity combined with dark chocolate on the finish. There’s a lot to like here and it should age well in the bottle. Score: 92/100 

Štajerska (Podravje)

• Vino Kupljen, Skywalker 2018

The Vino Kupljen, Skywalker is a blend of Merlot with a touch of Pinot Noir and Blaufränkisch aged in oak. It’s a fine cool weather red with notes of cherry, cedar, and a touch of forest floor. It’s not the most complex red in the world but it’s fun to drink. Medium-bodied with a moderate amount of alcohol and soft tannins. Score: 88/100

• Kobal, Blaufränkisch 2019

This is 100% Blaufrankisch aged in wood. This was just bottled when I tasted it. Full of dark cherry, black raspberry, capsicum, graphite, and purple flower. This is clean and precise. It’s a juicy red that isn’t complex but very fun to drink. This is the type of wine I want to have slightly chilled at a bistro. It’s unpretentious and fun to drink. Fans of Beaujolais will find a lot to like here. My score here might be a little higher than most on this but I’m biased towards this type of red. Score: 90/100

Bela Krajina (Posavje)

• Šuklje, Lodoma 2018

The Šuklje, Lodoma is 100% Blaufränkisch that is aged in used barriques. It’s an attractive Austrian style red with notes of blackberry, cherry licorice, crushed violets, and a touch of pepper. The palate is crisp, clean, and spicy on the finish. There’s plenty of forest fruits upfront and the spiciness and complexity come towards the end. The tannins are soft and plush. An excellent red to drink at lunch or before the heavy meats start coming out. Quite a surprise from this unknown region. Score: 90/100

• Šuklje, Vrbanjka 2018

The Šuklje, Vrbanjka is 100% Blaufränkisch aged in 500L barrels. Single vineyard wine. Notes of black cherry, strawberry, mocha, earth, meat, and pepper. The nose is of a pure cool-climate red. This is plush and has plenty of fruitiness to draw you in along with the complexity to keep you thinking. Chewy tannins on the backend, substantially more than the Lodoma. This is a wine that is fun now but should improve with some time in the cellar. Vibrant acidity. Score: 91/100

You can learn more about our scoring system on the wine rating page.

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There are a handful of Italian estates that are truly legendary. Many of them are located in Tuscany or Piedmont. But in Northern Italy, in an appellation that isn’t renowned for fine wines, Tenuta San Leonardo makes magic happen.

Tenuta San Leonardo

Located in Trentino, Italy the estate dates back to the 19th century but San Leonardo’s modern history began in 1974 – when the present owner Carlo Guerrieri Gonzaga took over. The estate took on the late Giacomo Tachis as a consultant (creator of famous Italian wines like Sassicaia, Tignanello, Solaia, and Saffredi) and in 1982 the first Tenuta San Leonardo, San Leonardo was born.

While there have been ebbs and flows in wine styles and markets over the last few decades, San Leonardo is famous for never wavering. Carlo Guerrieri Gonzaga never wanted to make big, fruity, blockbuster wines. This is seen in the current vintage of the flagship San Leonardo, which is a Bordeaux blend coming in at 13% alcohol by volume.

It’s a wine that has been on my list for a long time. In the world of fine wine, producers with this type of pedigree and track record usually come with a hefty price. That’s not the case with San Leonardo. Their flagship wine can be found worldwide for around 60 USD. Unfortunately, I just never got around to taste it, until now.

The secret recipe to the estate is Carménère. Which is blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the flagship San Leonardo. All of the wines I tasted are not for those who want the big and bold. These are earthy Bordeaux blends with nuances you must pay attention to. They are built for aging in the cellar, some people accustomed to fruiter wines might even find the wines from San Leonardo to be austere.

While the flagship San Leonardo is outstanding, I was personally blown away by the latest vintage of Tenuta San Leonardo, Terre. It’s found around the world for around 15 USD and is something worth picking up by the case. Here are the latest releases from San Leonardo.

Tenuta San Leonardo Current Releases

• Tenuta San Leonardo, Vette 2019

The Tenuta San Leonardo, Vette is 100% Sauvignon Blanc that only saw stainless steel. It’s an unmistakable representative of the variety with notes of cut grass, kiwi, rockmelon, and green apple notes. It’s crispy and fresh with sharp acidity. After a few days of being opened, it really started to round into form, becoming fuller in body. Score: 90/100

*The 2018 vintage was awarded as Wine Spectator’s Top 100 wines of 2020.

Tenuta San Leonardo, Terre 2016

The Tenuta San Leonardo, Terre is the little brother to the flagship San Leonardo. It gives a preview of its big brother as it is released earlier. It’s a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Carménère in a 60/40/10 proportion. Most of the cuvée is aged in concrete while 20% is aged in oak.

Generous nose of cherry, black raspberry, capsicum, and tobacco. This wine punches way past its price point. There’s nothing second class about this. The perfect balance of fruit, savory notes, while being firm and not overly big. Chewy tannins. A savory, earthy red, not a fruit bomb. Buy this by the case. Score: 91+/100

• Tenuta San Leonardo, Villa Gresti 2015

The Tenuta San Leonardo, Villa Gresti is a softer, right bank Bordeaux styled blend of Merlot and Carménère aged for 12 months in new French oak. Notes of chewing tobacco, black cherry, earth, graphite, and a kiss of oak. This isn’t a big, brooding monster. It’s classy and understated, yet still layered. The wine is more savory upfront and the acidity stretches out the palate. Refined, small-grained tannins guide the long finish – which is the highlight of this wine. Give this another ten years in the bottle to put on some weight and round out. Although this is a right bank blend, it tastes to me more like a left bank Bordeaux. Score: 92+/100

• Tenuta San Leonardo, San Leonardo 2015

The Tenuta San Leonardo, San Leonardo is the legendary wine from this estate. It’s a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, and Merlot made only in the best vintages. This is earthy and smells like true Bordeaux. To me, it has all the qualities I want in a great Bordeaux blend. Notes of capsicum jump out of the glass first. The fruit includes mulberry, black cherry, and black raspberry. There’s plenty of tobacco and vibrant acidity here. It’s a medium-bodied, age-worthy wine that should do wonders in the cellar. Chewy tannins and a long finish, this is serious stuff. Score: 95/100

You can find out more about our scoring system on the WINE RATING page.

Tenuta San Leonardo provided tasting samples. 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 San Leonardo: A Northern Italian Wine Classic appeared first on Wine Travel.

Here’s an article that’s long overdue. It’s a recap of a weeklong sprint through Moldova back in 2019. It was one of my favorite memories of that year and gives me hope that travel opens up again this year. Here’s a journey through Moldova in 15 wines.

Moldovan Wine? Moldovan Wine!

Charine and I got the chance to experiences the wines of Moldova up close and personal in the Spring of 2019 – our expectations were shattered. During our one week sprint through Moldova, we tasted several hundred wines and personally visited over twenty cellars. After the trip, it was crystal clear that this small, dynamic wine-producing country has immense potential.

The landscapes of Moldova vary considerably from sweeping steppes in the east, forested hills in the center, to the vast Bugeac Plain in the south. Moldova is characterized by a moderate climate with short, cold winters and long summers. Thanks to the different landscapes coupled with a long growing season, wine grapes ripen slowly and retain their natural acidity.

When Moldova was part of the USSR, it produced most of the federation’s wine (along with Georgia). After independence, the main market for Moldovan wine was Russia. After Russia enforced embargos on Moldovan wine in 2006 and 2013, the country had to reinvent its wine industry (also similar to Georgia). For more on this, check out Charine’s in-depth article about Moldovan wine.

Making Comparisons

Traveling through the country, I couldn’t help but make parallels to another small country, North Macedonia. Both countries have small economies, with wine production being essential. Like Moldova, North Macedonia belonged to a bigger nation, producing a large majority of the wine – Yugoslavia. Moldova and North Macedonia also produce significant quantities of bulk wine and are attempting face-lifts of their wine industries.

Unlike North Macedonia, small producers are embraced in Moldova. These small producers add a little pizazz to the wine industry. I definitely felt this personal touch during the visit. While many of the large producers in Moldova create delicious (even great) wine, I felt that most of my favorite Moldovan wines were from small producers.

Moldovan wine is poised to make a big splash. With high quality and great prices to boot, it’s only a matter of time before these wines are embraced. I’m hoping to make it back there soon, the journey through Moldova was one of my favorite memories of 2019. Here’s that journey through Moldovan wine in 15 bottles.

15 Moldovan Wines to Try

• Minis Terrios, Negru Împărat 2016

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One of the first Moldovan wines I ever tasted was the Minis Terrios Roșu Împărat, which is a blend of Fetească Neagră, Rară Neagră, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Charine and I first encountered the wine at the 2018 IWCB in Romania. Just a few months later, we encountered its big brother the Negru Împărat during our first evening in Moldova. This is a small producer that isn’t exported widely but is worth keeping your eye on.

The Minis Terrios Negru Împărat is a Bordeaux-style blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon aged in new French barriques for 12 months. It’s a rich, powerful red wine. This has tremendous potential to improve in the bottle. There are notes of black fruit, red fruit, capsicum, cedar, and pepper. The wine has a lot of wood but the fruit is ripe enough underneath. Elegant and powerful at the same time with fine tannins. Score: 91/100

• Carpe Diem, Bad Boys 2016

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Carpe Diem was the first modern wine bar in Chișinău, Moldova. It’s also a boutique wine producer. Proprietor, Ion Luca took over his family winery, breathing new life into it. We spent our first evening in Moldova at the Carpe Diem wine bar and they kindly opened their magnum opus, the Carpe Diem, Bad Boys. This vintage of Bad Boys won a “Best of Show” trophy at Mundus Vini and I can see why.

The Carpe Diem Bady Boys is a blend of Fetească Neagră and Saperavi aged in new oak. All we can say is, holy smokes this acts a lot like a Côte Rôtie. It’s big and bold without being overripe. There are notes of dark berry, bacon fat, incense, violets, and pepper. The wine is full and plush on the palate with round tannins. The long finish is guided by the right amount of acidity.

This is the finest red wine we had in Moldova. Score: 92/100

• Vinăria Nobilă, Fetească Neagră 2014

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During that first evening in the Carpe Diem wine bar, our hosts opened up a few wines from the small producer Vinăria Nobilă. It’s a project headed up by Oleg Boboc, who happens to be the winemaker of Moldova’s famous Castel Mimi. We tasted his Cabernet Sauvignon and Fetească Neagră, both of which are outstanding.

Oleg Boboc founded this winery. Worked in California and Oregon before returning to Moldova. His vineyards are located in the Stefan Voda region. The annual production of Vinăria Nobilă is less than 10,000 bottles per year.

The Vinaria Nobila, Fetească Neagră spent two years in the barrel. It smells like an aged Bordeaux blend. There are notes of cherry, plum, cedar, pepper, and tobacco. It’s more medium-bodied on the palate despite the 15% abv. Soft and developed tannins. This might not have a lot of life left in the cellar but it’s delicious now. Score: 91/100

• ATÚ Viorica 2018

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Our first winery visit in Moldova was to ATÚ winery. It’s located on the outskirts of the capital, Chișinău. ATÚ is owned by a young couple that aims to bring fun and excitement to the world of wine. Their winery is colorful and located in an abandoned warehouse.

ATÚ launched its wine on the market in 2017. Positioned as the first Moldovan urban winery in Chisinau. They’ve made waves locally for their fun tasting room and beautiful labels.

The ATÚ, Viorica is a varietal wine. The grape Viorica is grown widely in Moldova, producing fresh, easy-going whites. The wine smells like a dry Muscat with yellow flower, white peach, and snap green pea flavors. The body is significant for a fresh white, while finishing clean and crisp. Score: 87/100

• Asconi Rosé Icewine Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

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Asconi Winery is a producer with plenty of foresight. They are located just outside Chișinău and the winery is complete with accommodation and two on-site restaurants. They produce a wide range of wines that go from casual and fruity, to complex and serious.

The Asconi, Rosé Icewine Cabernet Sauvignon has 180 g/L of residual sugar. It has an orange/salmon color. There are notes of strawberry jam, white pepper, and a touch of vine-ripened tomato. It’s rich and complex on the palate with energetic acidity. The finish has a tangerine peel note. A longer finish might push this even higher but it’s phenomenal ice wine for the price. It received a gold medal at Mundus Vini, Mondial du Rosé, and a silver medal at the Internationa Wine and Spirits Competition. Score: 89/100

• Castel Mimi, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2012 

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Castel Mimi is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Moldova. This castle is a sight to behold and is the largest private architectural restoration project in Moldova. My jaw dropped when I first entered the property.

Castel Mimi was founded in 1893 by the last governor of Bessarabia, Constantin Mimi, a notorious public figure and a remarkable winemaker. The original building with a series of underground galleries has been maintained until today. Castel Mimi was acquired and reopened in 2016 after a massive restoration.

The Castel Mimi, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is aged 36 months in oak. It is the top dry wine of the estate. There are notes of chocolate, cedar, cherry, cassis, and tobacco. This wine has a zesty Italian-tanginess to it. The aging has rounded out the palate but a little more fruit would push this score even higher. Score: 90/100

• Cricova, Crisecco NV

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Cricova is a state-owned company and the largest producer of sparkling wine in Moldova. The sparklers from Cricova were well renowned throughout the Soviet empire. The cellars are a 20-minute drive from Chișinău, which makes it a popular tourist attraction. Cricova has over 600 hectares of vineyard in the central and southern parts of the country. Cricova wines are iconic among locals and the winery was declared by Moldova as a National Cultural Heritage.

When Moldova was part of the Soviet Union, it’s estimated that one out of every six bottles consumed in the USSR was from Cricova.

The Cricova, Crisseco NV is a Charmat method (think Prosecco) sparkler made with Fetească Albă and Muscat. It’s floral with notes of white pear, apple blossom, and lemon peel. This has lots of white fruit with a subtle sweetness on the finish. For a fresh sparkler, this is delicious and offers great value for money. Score: 87/100

• Château Vartely, ‘Invidio’ Saperavi 2017

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The Château Vartely, Taraboste Roșu was one of the first Moldovan wines that impressed me. I previously tasted a number of Château Vartely wines prior to visiting the country and none of them disappointed. During our visit to the cellar, Château Vartely opened a number of new wines including their ‘Individo’ Rară Neagră and Saperavi.

The Château Vartely, ‘Individo’ Saperavi is aged in the barrel for 12 months. Notes of wild berry, pepper, meat, and a touch of oak. Full-bodied, dark and inky like a Douro red. This has big time, chewy tannins. Put this away for another ten years. It’s another example that Saperavi’s second home may well be Moldova. Score: 90/100

*This is an impressive producer and we recommend their entire portfolio

• Mileștii Mici, Codru 2009 

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Mileștii Mici is famous for having the longest cellars and biggest wine collection in the world (according to the Guinness Book of World Records). Riding through their tunnels in your own car is quite the experience. Mileștii Mici is a state-owned company and while their branding needs a little facelift, the wines speak for themselves. Their portfolio includes several aged labels, which will make fans of the ‘Old World’ happy.

The Mileștii Mici, Codru is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot aged in oak for ten years. This was bottled in May 2019. There are notes of wax, leather, dried cherry, capsicum, and cedar. This is medium-bodied for a Bordeaux blend with lively acidity. The wine is surprisingly round and not tired, it has more life ahead of it. The grippy tannin and medium length make it a pleasure to drink. Score: 89/100

• Mihai Sava, Merlot Rosé Sec 2018

Mihai Sava resides in the tiny village of Costești. He consistently won awards for his wine in the local village competition and was encouraged to start bottling wine commercially. After a push from the locals and some funds from USAID, he started producing quality wines.

Mihai’s cellar is underneath his home and he welcomed us with a smile and a table full of homemade food. After lunch and the tasting, he took us along for his daily stroll through the nearby forest. He’s one of the most genuine winemakers that I’ve ever met. While I am not a patriotic person, it made me feel proud that funds from the USA helped give Mihai the resources he needs. He’s a man with vitality and passion, I look forward to seeing his progression.

The Mihai Sava Merlot Rosé has notes of strawberry, watermelon, and mineral water. This has a lot of fruit and is weighty on the palate. The finish is juicy and a tad spicy. There’s a touch of complexity here, it’s not just a poolside sipper. Score: 87/100

• Salcuta, ‘Winemaker’s Way’ Fetească Neagră 2017

There are many producers in Moldova attempting to make the shift from bulk wine to high-quality bottled wine. It’s a difficult path but it’s one that Salcuta is willing to take. The winery is located in the south of Moldova, they produce clean wines that express the local varieties well.

The Salcuta, ‘Winemaker’s Way’ Fetească Neagră is aged for nine months in French oak. It has soft notes of plum, baking spice, and pepper. The wine is juicy with a touch of oak and chewy tannins. For an inexpensive red wine, this offers a lot of character for an indigenous variety. This is exactly the type of wine that should be produced to introduce a new variety to consumers. Score: 88/100 

• Château Purcari, Grande Cuvée de Purcari Extra Brut 2016

Château Purcari is one of Moldova’s historic wineries. It became privately owned in 2003, which gave the brand a shot in the arm. This is perhaps Moldova’s most famous winery abroad. They have resurrected the historical red wine appellations of Roșu de Purcari and Negru de Purcari. Both are good reds but I was more excited about their reserve sparkler.

We visited the estate and tasted through much of Château Purcari’s portfolio. Once we got back to the capital Chișinău, we visited their wine bar aptly named Purcari Wine Bar. There is where I got to taste the Château Purcari, Grande Cuvée de Purcari Extru Brut.

The Château Purcari, Grande Cuvée de Purcari Extra Bru is a méthode traditonelle sparkling wine. It’s a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Blanc aged on the lees for 18 months. There are ripe tropical fruit, yogurt, and biscuit notes with fine bubbles. The fruit flavors are similar to a good Franciacorta (Italy). Score: 90/100

• Fautor, ‘Illustro’ Chardonnay Sauvignon Blanc Rhein Riesling 2016

Fautor is the most awarded winery in Moldova. Their wines have even caught the attention of Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate, which gave the Fautor, Fumé Blanc 2016 a score of 90 points. We didn’t get the chance to visit the estate but we did taste through their portfolio at the WineMD bar in Chișinău. Proprietor Ruxandra Lipcan ran us through the portfolio over an evening.

The Fautor, ‘Illustro’ Chardonnay Sauvignon Blanc Riesling is an exciting white blend. Part of this cuvée was barrel fermented. There are notes of tropical fruit, yellow peach, lemon, and a perfect seasoning from the barrel. The wine has bite from the fruit and the addition of Riesling gives it mouthwatering acidity. It’s truly fine white wine. Score: 91/100

Fautor is the most awarded Moldovan winery and the quality is high across their entire portfolio.

• Gogu, Metafora 2017

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We were slated to visit Gogu but a schedule conflict came up at the last minute. All was not lost though, during the last evening of our trip, we managed to track down a bottle of their top red at the Château Purcari Wine Bar in Chișinău.

The Gogu Metafora red is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Saperavi aged in oak for 16 months. It has notes of red berry, wild berry, pepper, and tobacco. It’s inky and dark like a Douro red. The wine is full-bodied with suave tannins and a tangerine peel-like finish. Score: 89/100

• Et Cetera, Serendipity 2015

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We were so enamored with the Carpe Diem, Bad Boys that we had to track down this wine – which is made from the same grapes. Et Cetera also produces one of the best Merlots in the country. We didn’t get the chance to visit Et Cetera but there’s always next time.

The Et Cetera Serendipity is a blend of Fetească Neagră and Saperavi. There are notes of blackberry, pepper, meat, and mahogany. It’s full-bodied and rich with high acidity and fine-grained tannins. It’s not as complex as the Carpe Diem, Bad Boys but has a similar flavor profile. Score: 88/100

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Article: Moldovan Wine: Why It Matters and Why You Should Drink It

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We were on a press trip organized by the Moldova Competitiveness Project, funded by USAID and Sweden, in collaboration with Wine of Moldova. Our travel, meals, and accommodation were covered by the organizers. Cover photo courtesy of Wine of Moldova. However, please note that the opinions expressed in this article are unsolicited 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 A Journey Through Moldova in 15 Wines appeared first on Wine Travel.

How many times must I proclaim my love for Sangiovese?

The grape is undoubtedly best in its home of Tuscany. There are many appellations that are dedicated to Sangiovese including the famous Chianti Classico and Brunello di Montalcino. Sandwiched in between both of these is the DOCG of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano or simply Vino Nobile for short.

Vino Nobile has a long history of being a great wine but its popularity has waned, especially with the rise of the neighboring DOCG, Brunello di Montalcino. Nonetheless, this is still a great area for Sangiovese. While the appellation rules of Vino Nobile allow for a small proportion of local grapes like Colorino and Canaiolo in addition to international grapes like Merlot, some producers stand by pure Sangiovese.

Avignonesi is one of those producers. They are one of the region’s stars and prefer to use only Sangiovese in their Vino Nobile bottlings. They farm their 175 hectares of vineyards biodynamically. Avignonesi claims that they are the largest biodynamic producer in Italy.

Owners Virginie Saverys and Max de Zarobe acquired the estate in 2009, when Virginie bought the majority of shares from the Falvo family. They are both dedicated to putting Vino Nobile back on the map. “In 2009, We went from consumers to producers overnight,” Max says. “We made wine that we wanted to drink regardless of the market.” 

Avignonesi: Two Great Vintages

It’s been many years since I tasted the wines from Avigonesi, so I was excited to jump in. “Bear in mind all our Nobile are 100% Sangiovese,” Max said to me via email. “I’d be curious to hear how they compare to Brunello according to your experience.”

I tasted through the 2015s and 2016s, both great vintages in Tuscany. The latter fits my palate more. In 2016, it seems the wines have more harmony, brighter acidity, and the type of tannins that grip but don’t build too much. The 2015s are still delicious although I think 2016 will be the longer-lived vintage.

While I don’t find them to be exactly like Brunello di Montalcino, but that’s a good thing. Vino Nobile is a fantastic wine in its own right. They are great with food or on their own, are age-worthy, and can be had at friendlier prices than Brunello. Vino Nobile offers a taste of Tuscany without breaking the bank.

Avignonesi, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2015 

The Avignonesi, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2015 is 100% Sangiovese with true, lighter color. It is quintessential Sangiovese with notes of sour cherry, fall leaves, and cedar. A juicy, medium-bodied red with subtly firm tannins. Gets a slight uptick in score because this is the style I love. Score: 90+/100

Avignonesi, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2016

The Avignonesi, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2016 is 100% Sangiovese. Notes of cherry, raspberry, caramel, and a touch of mocha. While the nose leads me to think it’s a more modern take, the palate still brings me back to classic Tuscan wine. A medium-bodied red with plenty of acidity and chewy tannins. This will be more long-lived than the 2015 and is a very pretty wine. Score: 91/100

Avignonesi, ‘Poggetto di Sopra’ Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2015

The Avignonesi, ‘Poggetto di Sopra’ Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2015 is a single-vineyard, 100% Sangiovese aged for 24 months in cask. This is a rich, structured red. There’s plenty of oak here at first but that dissipates with air. Notes of kirsch, sour cherry, leather, mahogany, and pepper. A bigger, more flavorful style of Sangiovese, it’s the most similar to Brunello in this set of wines. Score: 92/100

Avignonesi, ‘Poggetto di Sopra’ Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2016

The Avignonesi, ‘Poggetto di Sopra’ Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2016 is a single vineyard, 100% Sangiovese single-vineyard aged for 24 months in cask. This shows a lot less wood than the 2015. The fruit here is pure and is allowed to show through. There are notes of leather, sour cherry, cigar ash, and earth. This strikes a fantastic balance between classic and modern Sangiovese. The wine feels medium-bodied in the mouth at first before the big-time tannins hit at the end. It has a long life ahead of it. If you love Tuscan reds, this is a must buy. Score: 94+/100

Avignonesi, Grifi 2015

The Avingonesi, Grifi 2015 is half Cabernet Sauvignon and half Sangiovese. It’s Avignonesi’s Super Tuscan with notes of leather, sour cherry, red plum, and tobacco. This is a rich, chewy red that is undeniably Central ITalian. Plenty of concentration here with chewy tannins and a long finish. Brilliant effort and with braised meats this really shines. Score: 93/100

Avignonesi, Grifi 2016

The Avignonesi, Grifi 2016 is approximately half Cabernet Sauvignon and half Sangiovese. This dark Tuscan blend is smoky and savory. Notes of leather, black cherry, capsicum, and tobacco leaf show through on the nose. Full-bodied and plush on the palate, the savory nuances show over the fruit. If tasted blind, I might think this is pure Bordeaux on first smell and taste until the tangerine peel-like acidity comes through on the back end. Chewy tannins and a long finish. This is built to last in the cellar, put it away for another five to ten years. I like the 2015 a little more now but this vintage should prove to be the better wine in the end. Score: 93+/100

Avignonesi, ‘La Banditella’ Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2015

This is 100% Sangiovese aged in big cask and barriques. This is a gorgeous Tuscan red with notes of sour cherry, pepper, tobacco, leather, cedar, and pepper. This is a round, complex, and explosive offering from Avignonesi. There’s loads of fruit here with plenty of earth and tobacco notes. The Sangiovese comes through here, there’s an impressive richness, almost Brunello-like body. Fantastic tannins and a long finish. Score: 94/100

Avignonesi, ‘Caprile’ Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2015

This is 100% Sangiovese aged in large casks and barriques. This is a little more shy than the La Banditella. Notes of dried cherry, sour plum, tobacco, leather, and a touch of tangerine-peel. This is more savory on the nose but the palate explodes with plenty of bright fruit. There’s a nice spine of acidity running through the palate here. The tannins are refreshing here, they add some texture in the mouth but don’t dry out the palate. Long finish. Score: 93+/100

Avignonesi, ‘La Banditella’ Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2016

This shows more freshness than the 2015. It’s 100% Sangiovese aged in both large casks and barriques. Notes of rose petal, sour cherry, mineral, cedar, and white pepper emerge from the glass. The fruit and the complexity come together nicely here. This is brilliant Sangiovese. The acidity and tannins here are close to perfect. Long finish. Score: 94+/100

Avignonesi, ‘Oceano’ Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2016

This is 100% Sangiovese aged in large casks and barriques. Of all these single-vineyard wines, this has more stemminess and forest floor to it. There are also notes of red raspberry, white pepper, sandalwood, and leather. It has a lot of flavors similar to a red Burgundy, except the textbook tangerine peel-like acidity of Sangiovese comes through here. Rich texture and a long finish. I’d love to throw this is a blind tasting. Score: 94/100

Avignonesi, ‘El Grasso’ Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2016

This is 100% Sangiovese aged in large casks and barriques. It’s got the brightest, polished fruit out of all the wines. Notes of cherry, red raspberry, tobacco, red licorice, and black pepper. This wine is all about balance with a perfect harmony of fruit and earth. It’s a subtle Sangiovese that builds power as it goes down the palate. Perfect tannins and a long finish. Everything works here, the fruit, tanginess, and astringency. Just an absolutely gorgeous Tuscan red. Score: 94+/100

You can find out more about our scoring system on the WINE RATING page.

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Avignonesi provided tasting samples. 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 Avignonesi: A Vintage Comparison of Vino Nobile appeared first on Wine Travel.

I love Sangiovese, period…

It doesn’t matter if the wine stands on its own or if it’s a part of a blend. From the gorgeous Chianti Classicos that are blended with other local grapes or French grapes to the powerful, pure examples from Montalcino, it’s a grape that my palate never gets sick of. But if there is one blend that I prefer, it may be Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Capezzana, Villa di Capezzana & Trefiano

Many of the famous Super Tuscans were born in the 1970s. During those times, producers had to eschew the Italian DOC system and label their wines as Vino da Tavola (table wines). This was because most appellations in Tuscany did not allow for the inclusion of French grapes – except Carmignano. This lesser-known DOCG not only allows but requires Cabernet Sauvignon as part of the blend.

Cabernet Sauvignon was reportedly planted in Carmignano as early as the 1700s. This little appellation was awarded DOC status in 1975 and then elevated to the prestigious DOCG status in 1990. It is the first appellation in Tuscany to allow the inclusion of Cabernet Sauvignon. The estate that spearheaded the formation of the appellation is the historic Tenuta di Capezzana.

Documents suggest that vines and olives were cultivated on the estate as early as 1200. However, the estate was passed to the Contini Bonacossi family in 1920. The property is still held by the family. The flagship wines of Capezzana are the ‘Villa di Capezzana’ Carmignano and the ‘Trefiano’ Carmignano Riserva. Both wines contain 80% Sangiovese with Cabernet Sauvignon – 20% for the Villa di Capezzana and 10% for the Trefiano.

These are classy Italian wines that scream Tuscan red. They are dry reds with sweet, sour, and savory nuances all at once. Thanks to the great vintage of 2016, both should do well in the cellar. The ‘Villa di Capezzana’ Carmignano is one of the great values in Tuscany. It’s a wine with history, pedigree, and class. Here’s a look at the newest releases of Capezzana Carmignano.

Capezzana, ‘Villa di Capezzana’ Carmignano 2016

The Capezzana, ‘Villa di Capezzana’ Carmignano is the flagship wine of the estate. It is a blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in oak for 12-16 months. Beautiful nose of sour cherry, spearmint, tobacco, and earth. On the palate, it has a nice mid-weight feel to it. Don’t expect all fruit, this is a wine with earthy tones and contours. The Cabernet Sauvignon offers a lot of tannins, which means this is built to age. If you want to enjoy it now, make sure to pair with mouth-coating food.

At 25-29 USD around the world, the Capezzana, Villa di Capezzana offers screaming value and a wine that can last in the cellar. Score: 91/100

Capezzana, ‘Trefiano’ Carmignano Riserva 2016

The Capezzana, ‘Trefiano’ Carmignano Riserva is a blend of 80% Sangiovese with a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon and Canaiolo aged in French oak for 16 months. This has a much bigger and riper feel than the Villa di Capezzana. Notes of black cherry, mint, cedar, earth, and pepper emerge from the glass. It’s a full-bodied Tuscan red that doesn’t go over the top. There are plenty of chewing tobacco notes on the palate, I assume from the Cabernet Sauvignon. The tannins are big, ripe, and offer plenty of grip but are never too astringent. This is delicious now but will get markedly better with time in the bottle. Score: 94/100

You can find out more about our scoring system on the WINE RATING page.

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Capezzana provided tasting samples. 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 Capezzana Carmignano – The Original Super Tuscan? appeared first on Wine Travel.

It’s no surprise that we love Italian wine, from all parts of the country. In recent years, I’ve traveled to some lesser-known parts of Italian wine country including Valle d’Aosta, Puglia, and Sardegna. However, outside of Montefalco Sagrantino, Umbria still remains a blind spot on my radar.

When Torre Bisenzio reached out to me, I jumped at the opportunity to taste their wines. This small estate is located on the northern reaches of Umbria, right on the border with Tuscany. The estate is home to beef cattle, vegetables, and olives. Torre Bisenzio is certified organic. The focus of this hilltop estate is agrotourism and have recently put a strong focus on wine quality.

This set of wines were a pleasant surprise. They aren’t big, rich blockbusters. Rather, they are wines with finesse and a high degree of drinkability all while retaining the character of Central Italian reds. In short, these are the types of wines that I want to sip with a good meal on a daily basis.

Once the time of COVID ends, I hope to visit the estate, sit on the balcony, and sip on some of these while taking in the Umbrian sun.

• Torre Bisenzio, Il Pugnalone 2016

The Torre Bisenzio, Il Pugnalone is half Sangiovese with the other half being Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah aged in used wood. Lighter in color and coming in at a nice 13.5% ABV. There are pleasant notes of cherry, cedar, tobacco, some earthy tones, and even a touch of graphite. It’s very much a Central Italian wine. The wine has enough fruit but isn’t big and brooding. There are firm espresso-like tannins that beg for food. This wine isn’t a blockbuster but it is a delicious, red fruit-driven red that should excel with food. It’s also the style of wine that I like to drink. Score: 89/100

• Torre Bisenzio, Sangiovese 2015

One sniff of the Torre Bisenzio, Sangiovese takes me to Central Italy. This is pure Sangiovese aged for one year in a large cask. Brick red in color with some browning edges, this has a classic nose with notes of sour cherry, red raspberry, menthol, earth, and tobacco. It’s a very pretty, medium-weighted wine. There’s loads of fruit upfront with a slight austerity on the backend. Tannins are chewy and just beg for pasta and braised meats. Drink this up now. Score: 90/100

• Torre Bisenzio, ‘Ambris’ Sauvignon Blanc 2019

The Torre Bisenzio, ‘Ambris’ is Sauvignon Blanc fermented in 375L amphora (six months of skin contact), stainless steel, and barrel. The blend is 1/3 across. This has the nose of a barrel-fermented Sauvignon Blanc, not an orange wine. Notes of grapefruit, kiwi, grass, crushed rock, and a streak of basil. Flavorful on the palate, the fruit is mouth coating and there’s a fine balance between fruit, herbs, and spices. Starfruit-like acidity on the finish and fantastic barrel integration.

This wine also has that ‘it’ factor that kept me returning for glass after glass. Score: 92+/100

You can find out more about our scoring system on the WINE RATING page.

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Torre Bisenzio provided tasting samples. 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.

Vina Laguna, Festigia Castello 2017

Vina Laguna is the largest producer in Istria but don’t let that scare you off. They use only estate-grown fruit and make wonderful wines at all price points. One of the Vina Laguna signature wines is the Festigia Castello. This is a red blend of the best fruit from the vintage, historically it’s a blend of Merlot, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s a wine that I buy and enjoy frequently thanks to its fine price point (<11 Euros in Croatia).

Learn more about Vina Laguna at 0:58 in the video.

I’ve had every vintage of this wine. While it’s always good, every time the wine leaves me wanting a bit more. This vintage is the first Festigia Castello that is a true Bordeaux blend. While 2017 wasn’t a great vintage in Istria for reds, head winemaker Milan Budinski loves this Festigia Castello. “I think it’s very good if not the highest quality considering the quality of fruit, complexity, and typicity,” he says. “I think it’s a very distinct style amongst other Bordeaux blends produced.”

The Vina Laguna, Festigia Castello 2017 is a Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. There are bright flavors of capsicum, sour cherry, tobacco, and capsicum. It’s an incredibly elegant wine with great wood integration. I always want a longer finish from the wines in the Castello line. This has that length guided by silky tannins.

This is the finest red wine from Vina Laguna that I’ve tasted. It trumps the excellent ‘LV’ Festigia Riserva 2015, Festigia Riserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2011, and Festigia Castello 2012.

Score: 91/100

You can find out more about our scoring system on the WINE RATING page.

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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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