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Back 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. We originally shot 13 episodes. With the onset of COVID in 2020, we found ourselves ‘stuck’ in Croatia, which gave us a chance to reboot the series. Here is the sixth episode about Dalmatia ‘Cracking Croatian Wine: Komarna Wine Region’.

Komarna: The Newest Croatian Wine Region

Komarna is the newest wine region in Croatia and is an entirely certified organic region. This seaside region in Southern Dalmatia is planted mostly with Plavac Mali and Pošip. It’s a compact area with 90 Hectares (222 acres) under the vine.

Komarna gives way to spectacular views of the deep blue Adriatic Sea and the nearby Pelješac Peninsula. There are seven winegrowers in this small region. Because it’s a brand new region, the producers of Komarna are modern with well-equipped cellars. The wines are already impressive and should improve ass the vineyards get older and as the producers gain more experience with the land. Join us and meet the pioneers of Komarna in the latest episode of Cracking Croatian Wine.

Watch “Cracking Croatian Wine: Komarna Wine Region” on Exotic Wine Travel YouTube:

Timestamps: Cracking Croatian Wine: Komarna Wine Region

(0:00) Learn about Komarna and why it’s a region to keep your eye on.

(0:22) Take a road trip with us to Gradac. This scenic, beach town in Southern Dalmatia is only a 30-minute drive from Komarna and served as our base for this video. We stayed at the scenic Villa Lavanda.

Book a stay at the seaside Villa Lavanda: https://www.vrbo.com/717519

 

(1:09) Optima Rent-a-Car set us up with our transportation. Jump in the car as we head to Komarna.

(1:33) Taste with us at Rizman. This is the pioneering winery of Komarna. Their cellar has a sweeping view of the Adriatic Sea and serves food to pair with their excellent wines made from Pošip, Plavac Mali, Tribidrag (Zinfandel), and Syrah.

(3:51) The distinctive Neretva Valley and Ušče Neretve are can’t miss sights. They are an oasis of green in bone-dry Dalmatia. The latter is a world-class windsurfing destination.

(4:16) Join us at another winery visit. Terra Madre is a new producer that was founded by three families, who together own a nearby agricultural products company.

(6:05) Learn how to make a homemade fish Peka. This is a traditional Dalmatian dish cooked under a ceramic bell and hot coals. If you don’t have all that equipment or an outdoor barbeque, you can just use an oven.

(6:43) Meet our friend, Master of Wine Jo Ahearn. She is the proprietor and winemaker at Ahearne Vino. Jo makes exciting wines from local grapes on the nearby island of Hvar.

(7:43) Come with us to taste wines at Vina Deak. The Deak family owns a number of accommodation options geared towards tourists. In recent years, they’ve started a winery. Their olive oil is also a can’t miss.

(9:38) Take a vineyard stroll with us and Antonija of Saints Hills Winery. This winery is aided by superstar wine consultant Michel Rolland. The winery is located on the nearby Pelješac Peninsula but Saints Hills does have a small plot in Komarna.

(11:24) We put two Plavac Malis to the test. The Saints Hills, Dingač vs the Saints Hills, Sv. Roko before catching some sea and sun.

(12:33) Come with us and our local friend Martina on a visit to Volarević Winery. This brand is spearheaded by Josip Volarević who is working on his Ph.D. thesis on Plavac Mali.

(14:05) Have dinner with us as we indulge in the local specialties. Fried frog legs with onions and brodeto, a stew also made with frog legs.

(15:13) Experience a night harvest with us. We help out in harvesting Pošip at Rizman Winery. Harvesting white wine grapes at night help retain acidity and aromas in the grapes, thus making the wine more delicious.

Komarna Wine Recommendations:

• • Rizman, Pošip 

The Rizman, Pošip is good in every vintage but this may be the best I’ve tasted. The wine has notes of dried pineapple, white flower, rock, and garrigue. The fruit feels a bit overripe on the nose but the palate brings it back. There’s a good blend of fruit and mineral notes here. The acidity is crisp. For a fresh white, this is full-bodied and generous. Good length. Score: 91/100

*I also highly recommend the barrel-fermented Pošip from this producer known as Rizman, ‘Nonno’ Pošip.

• • Rizman, Primus Plavac Mali 

Rizman really nailed it with their Primus Plavac Mali. It’s full-bodied Mediterranean red but one with some finesse. Notes of strawberry, rose, baked raspberry, and garrigue. Very good use of wood, it’s integrated perfectly. The tannin management here is also fantastic, they aren’t hard and biting but do add some chewiness. This wine should age very well in the medium term. Score: 90/100

• • Saints Hills, Sv. Roko 

This is another successful vintage of the Saints Hills, Sv. Roko. This is consistently my favorite wine in their portfolio. Made with Plavac Mali from Komarna region. Strawberry, cherry, cedar, garrigue. Full-bodied and Mediterranean in style. Firm yet ripe tannins. More Nebbiolo-style of Plavac Mali. Score: 90/100

• • Saints Hills, Dingač 

Ok, so this wine isn’t from Komarna but it’s worth noting. The Saints Hills, Dingač is the big brother to the Sv. Roko. It’s my favorite vintage of this wine. It’s richer and fuller than the Sv. Roko. Notes of cherry, red plum, rose petal, and cedar. Full-bodied and intense, this is Plavac Mali done right. There’s plenty of fruit upfront with small, biting tannins on the backend. Long finish. Score: 93/100

• • Vina Deak, Ćaća Moj Pošip 

The Vina Deak, Ćaća Moj Pošip is an encouraging wine from this young producer. It really has the feel of a Southern Rhône (France) white. Notes of white peach, crushed rocks, basil, and pomelo dominate the palate. This is mouth-filling and has a little zip thanks to the acidity. It will be great with mussels and oysters. Score: 89/100

• • Terra Madre, Plavac Mali Premium 

This was one of the biggest revelations of the visits for me.  I’ve been hard on this winery in the past but the 2016 Terra Madre, Plavac Mali Premium is beautiful. Notes of strawberry, rose petal, tar, and thyme. It is a delicate Plavac Mali that acts a lot like a Nebbiolo. Fruity, floral, complex with some firm tannins on the backend. This is by far Terra Madre’s best wine, really acting like a Nebbiolo d’Alba. Score: 90+/100

• • Volarević, ‘Syrtis’ Pošip 

The Volarević, Pošip Syrtis is explosive with a nose of tropical fruit, Greek yogurt, green guava, and green mango. It’s like a medley of a tropical fruit salad with some crushed rocks on top. The palate has laser-like focus. There’s a lot to like here. It has a sweet fruit finish. There might be a touch of residual sugar here but that softens the palate. Score: 90/100

• • Volarević, Plavac Mali Gold Edition 

The Volarević, Plavac Mali Gold Edition is the ripest and beefiest Plavac Mali in this lineup. At 15% abv, this is big Plavac Mali done well. Notes of cherry, rose petal, and cigar ash. Full-bodied with generous fruit and some serious structure thanks to the small tannins. Fun to drink now and will unfurl further with some time in the cellar. Score: 90/100

The finest selection of

Pošip and Plavac Mali wines

available at:

Shipping is available EU-wide and to the UK.

Check out Croatian Wines Available in the USA.

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

    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 explore the incredible selection of delicious wines! We can’t wait to share our passion for wine with you!

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: Komarna Wine Recommendations appeared first on Wine Travel.

Standing out amongst 140 local grapes is no small feat. That’s what makes the Croatian wine grape Pošip so exciting. Pošip (in addition to Grk) may be my favorite Croatian white grape. A recent blind tasting of Pošip further reinforced my belief in this Croatian variety.

Pošip: Croatian White Wine Grape

Pošip originates from the island of Korčula in Southern Dalmatia. This island happens to be my favorite wine island in Dalmatia. In the past, Korčula belonged to the Venetian empire and there’s even a legend that the explorer Marko Polo was born on the island.

Pošip thrives in several east-west valleys that run through the towns of Blato, Smokvica, and Čara. The ridges here create a mini-wind tunnel that helps regulate the Mediterranean temperatures during the summer. As of 2009, there were 450 hectares (1111 acres) of the grape planted – mostly on Korčula. That figure has surely gone up as producers have taken the variety outside of Korčula. You can now find Pošip on different islands and mainland Dalmatia.

Pošip is known for keeping good acidity levels while the sugar levels rise during the hot Dalmatian summer. This year, I took part in a Pošip night-harvest on Komarna (the mainland). That night-harvest took place in late-August. On the island of Korčula, the Pošip harvest often stretches into September.

At it’s best, Pošip is rich and minerally when made into a fresh white wine. Some people might find it similar to the whites of Southern Rhône. In the care of a good producer, it can also be barrel-aged or fermented into a Meursault-style. The wines are excellent with Dalmatian seafood.

A recent blind tasting of 59 Pošips showed the versatility of this grape. Here are my impressions and wines that scored 90 points or higher. Wines were tasted on Christmas Day 2020.

Pošip Impressions

The Good

• The quality of Pošip is very high and many wines scored in the high 80s.
• The quality continues to improve as producers take the grape more seriously throughout the years.
• These wines pair well with the local Dalmatian seafood.
• In the hands of a good producer, Pošip can take on oak.
• Producers on the mainland are starting to show that good Pošip can be produced outside of Korčula.
• The 2019 vintage was phenomenal for whites in Dalmatia and these wines are drinking great now.

The Bad

• The price of grapes in Dalmatia can be costly, so wines made from Pošip cost more than those made from Croatia’s other two signature white grapes, Malavazija & Graševina.
• Restaurant markups are notorious in Dalmatia thanks to the high volume of tourists. The high season is the summer, which bumps up the prices of Pošip even more.

Pošip Wine Recommendations:

Fresh Pošip

• Galić, Ego 2019

The Galić, Ego has bright tropical fruit, this smells like a pure, fresh wine. Notes of pineapple, flint, peach, and natural gas. There’s plenty of fruit and concentration here. It’s more explosive and has a nice interplay between fruit and acid. Good length with a little bottle development on the back end. Score: 90/100 

• Hvar Hills, Pošip 2019

The Hvar Hills Pošip has notes of pineapple, peach, vanilla, and flint. The wood adds some creaminess to the palate. The flavors are a bit disjointed at this point but there is structure here. Good length. This should be better in a few years and it’s big enough to handle pairing with chicken and pork. Score: 90/100

• PZ Pošip Čara, Pošip 2019

The PZ Pošip Čara, Pošip has plenty of lees contact. The yogurt flavors are accompanied by white peach, crushed limestone, and white grapefruit. This wine has a fine melody of citrus notes and seaside flavors, I can almost small the rocky beaches of Dalmatia. Zippy wine with length. Score: 90/100

• Skaramuča, Pošip 2019

Skaramuča consistently puts out high-value for money wines. No small feat in Dalmatia. There are plenty of mineral notes that come out first with this wine. Slate, flint, and crushed rocks accompany the white apricot and pineapple fruit. Complex for a fresh wine. Palate follow up the nose with a great interplay of fruit, minerals, and acidity. Lemony acidity stretches out the finish. Score: 90+/100

• Skaramuča, Pošip Elegance 2019

The Skaramuča, Pošip Elegance has notes of apricot, dried pineapple, vanilla, and a touch of thyme. There’s a lot here to look for a fresh white wine. It’s on the lighter style for Pošip but done well. Bright acidity and a lemony finish. There’s a touch of bottle development on the finish, which is enjoyable for me. Score: 90/100 

• Testament, Pošip 2019

Testament is a new producer that’s making waves in the country. The Testament, Pošip has notes of thyme, apricot, quince, and pear. This is a pleasant Pošip. It’s not angular and there’s plenty of balance. Tangy finish that gives a hint of wood. Mouth coating fruit. Not as tropical as the other Pošips. There’s almost a French-like refinement. Score: 90/100 

• Rizman, Pošip 2019

This wine is good in every vintage. The Rizman, Pošip has notes of dried pineapple, white flower, rock, and garrigue. The fruit feels a bit overripe on the nose but the palate brings it back. There’s a good blend of fruit and mineral notes here. The acidity is crisp. For a fresh white, this is full-bodied and generous. Good length. Score: 91/100

• Volarević, Pošip Syrtis 2019

The Volarević, Pošip Syrtis is explosive with a nose of tropical fruit, Greek yogurt, green guava, and green mango. It’s like a medley of a tropical fruit salad with some crushed rocks on top. The palate has laser-like focus. There’s a lot to like here. It has a sweet fruit finish. There might be a touch of residual sugar here but that softens the palate. Score: 90/100

• Saints Hills, Posh 2019

The Saints Hills, Posh has an elegance to it. This smells like a Pošip from a cooler climate. Notes of grapefruit, quince, Asian pear, and flint. There’s a rush of acidity here, almost Riesling-esque. The lemony acidity doesn’t detract from the mineral notes. Good length. This is a shellfish wine. Score: 90/100

• Krolo, Pošip 2018

Krolo is a small producer on the mainland. This Pošip has pineapple, natural gas flavors, white peach. It’s still a wine that’s really fresh. It has bracing acidity which washes the palate clean. Intense fruit and saltiness. Lengthy finish. Really well done. This is for Riesling nuts. Score: 90/100 

Barrel-Aged Pošip

• Rizman, Nonno 2019

The Rizman, Nonno is one of my favorite Dalmatian whites and I was thrilled to see that it showed well in this blind tasting. Impressive and bright nose. White flower, pineapple, gunmetal flint, and nectarine. The palate is round and creamy (perhaps some oak aging). The mouthfeel never feels flabby thanks to the acidity. There’s a hint of complexity on the backend here. Long finish. Score: 91+/100 

• Hvar Hills, Pošip Kuš 2019

The Hvar Hills, Pošip Kuš is a beefier white, the oak stands out on the nose. Notes of pineapple, peach, vanilla, and flint. The wood adds some creaminess to the palate. The flavors are a bit disjointed at this point but there is structure here. Good length. This should be better in a few years and it’s big enough to handle pairing with chicken and pork. Score: 90/100

• Ahearne Vino, Pošip 2018

Jo Ahearne is a Master of Wine producing small batches of wine on Hvar and Korčula. This shows some bottle age, which is a great thing. Notes of white peach, lime, vanilla, and slate. There’s a touch of wood treatment here but it doesn’t stand out. The wine is developed on the palate but not intense. I’d like a little more length but this is ready to drink now. Score: 91/100

• Korta Katarina, Pošip 2018

The Korta Katarina, Pošip is good in every vintage. This wine has a little wood with dried pineapple, seawater, dried peach, and a touch of vanilla. This is a full-bodied white wine. On the palate, the fruit is more dried but there are intensity and saltiness on the backend. Good finish. Score: 90/100 

• Senjković, Tristeca 2018

The Senjković, Tristeca was a pleasant surprise. There’s plenty of waxiness here from the oak treatment. Notes of dried peach, lemon peel, bacon fat, and lemon peel. It’s full and round on the palate. It may be a little oaky now but this wine has a future to age. The fruit is good and acidity is moderate. A medley of sweet oak and yellow fruits on the finish. Score: 90+/100

• Milina, Pošip Grandeca 2018

The Milina, Pošip Grandeca shows wood but it’s handled well. Banana, dried pineapple, dried peach, and vanilla. It’s a bit oaky now but there is good fruit underneath. Full-bodied and rich, there’s plenty of fruit to back everything up. This could be good with time in the bottle. Put this aside for a few years Score: 90/100

• Matela, Pošip Sur Lie 2016

This wine completely shocked me once it was revealed. The Matela, Pošip Sur Lie is an intense, barrel-aged white. Notes of yellow peach, almond, yogurt, and orange rind. The wood is handled really well here because the fruit is so intense. Bright acidity and the ability to age even further. This is Pošip made in a dare I say, Burgundian way. Score: 92/100

• Krajančič, 1214 Statut 2016

Kranjančič is considered to be the godfather of modern Pošip and it was good to see all of his wines show well. The 1214 Statut is barrel fermented with notes of banana, sweet peach, pineapple, and a touch of oak. This wine has masterful oak integration. There intense stone fruit upfront. The barrel quality is great here. There’s enough wood with stone fruit notes and a long finish. Good bite. Meursault in style. Score: 92/100

• Krajančič, Pošip II Macerirano 2016

The Krajančič, Pošip II Macerirano is an orange wine with notes of fall leaves, apricot, dried peaches, and dried lemon peel. It’s an orange wine but there’s harmony here. Ripe tannins and good length. The acidity stays fresh. Score: 90/100 

Sweet Pošip

• Krajančič, Opera

The Krajančič, Opera is a brilliant dessert wine that is golden in color. Notes of caramel, butterscotch, dried apricot, and sweet cream. There’s a brilliant candied orange flavor to this with a touch of pumpkin spice. It’s rich but never feels flabby thanks to the vibrant acidity. A take on Pošip that isn’t often seen. Spicy and complex on the back end. Score: 94/100

The finest selection of

Pošip wines available at:

Shipping is available EU-wide and to the UK.

Check out Croatian Wines Available in the USA.

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

    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!

Thank you to Vinart for inviting me to the tasitng and providing bottle shots. 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 Pošip: A Croatian Wine Star appeared first on Wine Travel.

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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

The finest selection of

Markus wines

available at:

Shipping is available EU-wide and to the UK.

Check out Croatian

Wines Available in the USA.

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

    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.

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 third episode about Dalmatia, ‘Cracking Croatian Wine in Pelješac & Dubrovnik’.

Pelješac & Dubrovnik: Dalmatia

The Pelješac peninsula is the spiritual home to the beloved red Croatian wine grape Plavac Mali. The first two Croatian wine appellations Dingač and Postup are located on the south side of Pelješac. These locations have impossibly steep slopes and are dedicated to Plavac Mali. This red Croatian wine grape produces big, Mediterranean reds with strong tannins.

Nearby Dubrovnik is known as the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic.’ It was once the seat of the Dalmatian kingdom and is one of the main Croatian tourist attractions. The city has well-preserved walls and wide, cobbled streets. This beautiful medieval city has become even more popular thanks to the HBO series ‘Game of Thrones.’

Watch “Cracking Croatian Wine In Pelješac & Dubrovnik” on Exotic Wine Travel YouTube:

Timestamps: Cracking Croatian Wine in Pelješac & Dubrovnik

(1:05) Join us for a road trip on the Pelješac Peninsula in southern Dalmatia. The small two lane road gives way to sea views, towering mountains, and steep vineyards.

(1:32) Learn a little more about the red Croatian wine grape Plavac Mali. It’s the beloved native grape of Croatia and is found throughout Dalmatia. Plavac Mali’s spiritual home is the Pelješac Peninsula.

(1:46) Meet Ivan Miloš of Miloš Winery. They focus on the grape Plavac Mali and are one of the best Croatian wineries. The reserve wine of the property, the Miloš Stagnum, is a cult Croatian wine. Join us for a tour of the estate and the impossibly steep slopes where Plavac Mali thrives

(2:45) Ivan Miloš talks more about Plavac Mali and why it can produce classic wine.

(4:05) Meet Marija Mrgudić of Bura-Mrgudić Winery. They produce a rare, legendary Croatian wine named Bura Dingač.

(4:51) Listen as Marija Mrgudić explains the differences between the Croatian wine appellations Dingač and Postup.

(5:56) Check out the Dingač appellation. It’s one of the unofficial Grand Crus of Croatian wine. These impossibly steep slopes rival the most beautiful vineyards in the world.

(6:43) Come with us to Korta Katarina Winery. The estate was founded by Americans Penny & Lee Anderson, who first came to Croatia in the 1990s. The Korta Katarina Winery is beautiful and produces modern Croatian wines from Plavac Mali and Pošip.

(8:34) Check out the Peninsula Wine Bar. This Croatian wine bar & shop is located in the middle of the Pelješac Peninsula. The Peninsula Wine Bar carries a number of exciting wines from produces like Križ, Saints Hills, Grgić, Rozić, Skaramuča, Miličić, Donja Banda, and Vicelić.

(9:09) Get a glimpse of the largest fortification walls in Europe around the villages of Ston and Mali Ston.

(9:29) Join us on a day trip to the walled city of Dubrovnik. It’s ancient capital of Dalmatia and is known as the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’. The popular HBO series ‘Game of Thrones‘ was filmed here. Because of this and its beautiful location, Dubrovnik is always crowded during the tourist season.

(9:50) Have lunch with us at Proto Restaurant. It’s one of the oldest fish restaurants in Dubrovnik. Siniša Lasan, one of Croatia’s top sommeliers and a judge at the Decanter World Wine Awards serves guests at Proto Restaurant.

(12:01) Meet Vedran Kiridžija of Kiridžija Winery. Vedran is one of the old guards in Croatian wine. Kiridžija is known to produce of the best examples of Dingač. Discover some of the finest examples of Plavac Mali at this humble Croatian winery.

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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!

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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!

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 Pelješac & Dubrovnik appeared first on Wine Travel.

Hello! Welcome to As Drunk By Exotic Wine Travel, a weekly column where we feature wines that are worth noting. 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!

Markus Pepejuh Dingač 2010

The Markus Pepejuh Dingač is from the Dingač appellation on the Pelješac Peninsula in Southern Dalmatia, Croatia. The vineyards are among the most beautiful we have ever seen in the world – think the Douro meets Mosel meets Cinque Terre. You can see the vineyards in the video below.

This is made in the owner’s basement, who is Croatian but spent most of his life in Germany. Pepejuh is the local name for the pit viper snake that hangs out on the bush vines in the vineyard. Made from 100% Plavac Mali which is the offspring of the original Zinfandel (Crljenak Kaštelanski or Tribidrag in Croatia). While there are many poor examples of Plavac Mali in Dalmatia, the few great examples are spellbinding.

Plavac Mali ripens unevenly on most vineyard sites, therefore producers often deal with clusters that comprise of green and ripened berries mixed with raisins. Great vineyards yield fully ripe grapes without the raisins. The best areas for the grape are south facing with high slopes and poor soils.

Our friend is a Master of Wine that is making her own wine on Hvar Island. Hvar is very close to Pelješac. She told me she fell in love with Plavac Mali because of the perfume notes and the small tannins that reminded her of Nebbiolo. While Plavac Mali doesn’t have the same flavor profile as Nebbiolo it can have perfume notes when done right.

The Markus Pepejuh Dingač 2010 has some browning on the rim. It has the hauntingly good aromas that are associated with great Plavac Mali. Full of dark cherry, perfume, rose petals, pepper, and earth. Firm and small tannins with a long finish. It is very Mediterranean in style being a tad hot at 14.7 ABV, but other than that, it’s a beauty. This effort from Markus is a wine that is sure to please old and new world fans – it’s a wine we would have no qualms showing hardcore wine geeks.

4.3/5  (You can find out more about our scoring system on the START HERE page.)

Markus Dingač is available at wineandmore.com

The finest selection of

Croatian wines available at:

Shipping is available EU-wide and to the UK.

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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!

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 Markus Pepejuh Dingač 2010 appeared first on Wine Travel.

When it comes to red wine, Croatians are crazy about Plavac Mali.

Most tourists in Croatia head for the Dalmatian coast where Plavac Mali is commonly offered as a house pour in local konobas. Plavac Mali wines tend to be high in alcohol and tannin; drinking a shoddily made example is not a pleasant experience. And unfortunately, many subpar examples are pushed to tourists on the coast, leaving them wondering what the fuss is all about.

Indeed, when poorly handled, Plavac Mali wines are nearly undrinkable even if they are microbiologically sound. On the other hand, when grown and made well, Plavac Mali can offer perfume-like flavors and a mesmerizingly sweet grip.

Plavac Mali: Croatia’s Autochthonous Wine Grape

Plavac Mali (pronounce Plah-vahts Mah-lee) is the offspring of Dobričić and Tribidrag (also known as Crljenak Kaštelanski in Croatia, Kratošija in Montenegro, Primitivo in Italy, and Zinfandel in the USA). It is the most widely planted red wine grape in Croatia.

Plavac Mali is an honest variety that offers a lucid account of the place it is grown and how it is vinified. Consequently, the quality of Plavac Mali wines varies drastically. The examples run from rustic and homemade, to traditional and delicious, and modern with high-toned aromas.

In Dalmatia, Croatia, Plavac Mali is typically grown on bush vines. The vine is believed to give the best result when planted in poor soil with steep, south-facing slopes. The most well-known areas for Plavac Mali are the Dingač and Postup appellations on the Pelješac peninsula. Wines labeled as “Dingač” or “Postup” are regarded as the best Plavac Mali wines, but that’s not always the case. There are excellent Plavac Mali wines found outside these appellations too.

Here are 10 excellent non-Dingač and non-Postup Plavac Mali wines to seek out.

10 Plavac Mali Wines to Try

• Miloš Stagnum 2007 

This winery has come a long way: from producing what is allegedly the first Croatian cult wine, to a now iconic winery with a differentiated and distinct style. Miloš farms organically on 45-degree, south-facing, rocky slopes. The 15-hectare estate plot contains only Plavac Mali grapes. Spontaneous fermentation happens in open-top, oak vats. After that, the wines are aged in large, neutral Slavonian oak casks for an extended period before release.

The Miloš Stagnum 2007 is a premium bottling, made from the grapes of 35-year-old vines planted in the Ponikve village. The wine is highly structured with persistent flavors and a tannic backbone. It’s an exemplary wine for showing the elegance and ageability of Plavac Mali. This is significantly more herbaceous than many of the Plavac Malis on the market. If you like a balance of primary, secondary, and tertiary flavors in your wine, then this is the Plavac Mali for you.

Find or buy at Wine&more.

• Saints Hills Sv. Roko 2015

Located in Oskorušno town, during most of the year, the winery has more people working in it than there are people living in the village. Saints Hills owns three principal vineyards: St. Ante in Istria, St. Lucia Dingač, and St. Roko in Komarna. The winery boasts the renowned French consultant Michel Rolland as its consultant.

Saints Hills available at Wine&more.

 

Stunning interior at Saint’s Hills. The foundation of vinification and winemaking equipment here are determined by Michel Rolland. Plavac Mali is prone to oxidation, like Grenache/Garnacha. And again like Grenache/Garnacha, Plavac Mali can do well in concrete vessels.

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Saints Hills Sv. Roko 2015 is made from the grapes of the Komarna vineyard. It has an alluring bouquet: perfume-like muskiness, rose petal, cherry, chocolate, and earth. Medium weight on the palate with big and sweet tannins. A polished wine that shows marvelous extract and balance. The acidity and tannin levels work well to benefit the structure and balance. For a young Plavac Mali wine, it’s shocking that the drinkability is off the charts.

Find or buy at Wine&more.

• Stina Plavac Mali Majstor 2013

The grapes for this wine are taken from the best sites of Stina’s vineyards on the island of Brač. A modern-style Plavac Mali, it has the typical varietal flavors like cherry, Mediterranean herb, and hay; simultaneously, it is untypically fruit forward and less herbaceous than many Plavac Malis. With this wine, Stina has achieved the perfect balance of extract, tannin, acidity, and sweetness. There’s a lot of finesse and power here. 

Find or buy at Wine&more.

• Senjanović Tihe Braće Plavac Mali 2013

Milan Senjanović is a retired engineer who moved from Split and started producing wine. He has two hectares of vineyards and a humble cellar on the quiet island of Vis.

Tihe Braće is the name of the vineyard from where the grapes are harvested. This is a modern-style Plavac Mali with juicy red fruit flavors, along with peppercorn, juniper, chocolate, and a faint trace of toastiness from the barrel. It has a round mouthfeel, and the firm tannins tug on the end palate. 

• Duboković Prije 6009 Godina 2012

Duboković wines have gained a cult-like following over the years and can be hard to procure. As such, a visit to this garage winery is the best way to try these wines. Tasting sessions are held in the cellar, under candlelight, with barrels piled high up in all corners of the room.

Duboković Prije 6009 Godina 2012 offers a load of ripe cherry flavor, along with Mediterranean herb, leather, and cedar. The finish is particularly memorable: long with a hint of white pepper characteristic and sweet, nicely matured tannins. This bottling would appeal to people who like full-bodied wine with lots of texture and flavor intensity.

Find or buy Duboković wines at Wine&more.

• Krajančić Plavac Mali 2015

Local producer Luka Krajančić is credited for starting the movement of modern-style Pošip wine; his Plavac Mali is no slouch either. This Plavac Mali hails from the island of Korčula. Elegant and floral with predominantly red fruit and earthy flavors. It is structured with grippy tannins. If you like Nebbiolo, this is the Plavac Mali for you. And if you already like Plavac Mali, this is the wine to seek out for a quintessential expression from the elegant end of the spectrum.

Find at Wine&more.

• Vlašić Prapratno Kvalitetno 2012

Mato Vlašić’s winery and vineyard are located in the same village as the illustrious Miloš winery. His vineyard is at a lower position than Miloš, and the fruit has been praised by people in the industry. Every year, Vlašić makes about 5,000 bottles of kvalitetno (red label) and vrhunsko (white label) wines from Plavac Mali. Both bottlings are true farmer’s wines with zero newfangled or modern influence.

This entry-level kvalitetno wine is made in stainless steel and sees no oak influence. For a fresh wine, it’s packed with a surprising amount of complexity. There’s a tangy lift to the wine, and the tannins are young and sweet. If you’d like to try a good example of fresh, young Plavac Mali, then this is for you.

• Grgić Plavac Mali 2013

This winery is owned by the famous Croatian-born, Napa Valley vintner Mike Grgich (Milijenko Grgič). Grgich was the winemaker of Chateau Montelena 1973 Chardonnay, which defeated all the white Burgundies in a blind tasting at Judgement of Paris.

This Plavac Mali wine is one of the most expensive wines from this region, but its sensory merits justify the price. It is aged for 15 months in French oak and two years in the bottle before release, giving the wine ample time to nurture its drinkability. Like any fine wine, it benefits from extended aging. Expect judicious use of oak, expressive texture, vigorous flavors, and an overall robust wine. An excellent choice for the discerning palate or long cellaring.

Note: The 1996 vintage has twice received local recognition as the best Croatian red wine. We did a vertical tasting of all the vintages; 1998 and 2009 stood out to us too. For more tasting notes, check out Best 0f Vinart Grand Tasting 2017: Part 1.

Find or buy at Wine&more.

• Ahearne South Side Plavac Mali 2014

Jo Ahearne is a winemaking consultant and Master of Wine. Originally from the United Kingdom, she has worked with wine businesses all over the world, including Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, Hungary, Italy, Macedonia, New Zealand, and Spain. A few years ago, she visited Croatia and fell in love with the country and the potential of Plavac Mali. Now she spends most of her time on the Hvar island, getting her new winery off the ground and making wines from indigenous varieties.

The Ahearne South Side Plavac 2014 expresses the wild personality of Plavac Mali clothed in a worldly outfit. The piquant bouquet is marked by rose, cherry, earth, and hay. The slightest hint of raisin-ness makes this wine intriguing. The tannins are refined, and the wine is incredibly drinkable at a young age.

Available at Wine&more.

• Radan Plavac Mali 2013 

From the island of Vis, Miroslav Radan makes distinct, traditional-style Plavac Mali wines that are high in alcohol level, coupled with a touch of residual sugar. For some vintages, his Plavac Mali can be truly phenomenal. For others, he struggles with consistency. His best bottlings of Plavac Mali are full-bodied with a floral note and excellent sweet, fine-grained tannins.

The Radan Plavac 2013 shows ripe fruit, balanced acidity, young but sweet tannins, packed in a solid structure. For a taste of traditional Plavac Mali, this is a fun choice.

The finest selection of

Plavac Mali wines

available at:

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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!

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 10 Plavac Mali Wines to Try (Besides Dingač and Postup) 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!

Grk

The rare white grape Grk thrives on the sandy soil of Lumbarda, a town on the eastern tip of Korčula. It’s a white grape that makes stunning wines. Recently, a few intrepid growers have successfully plated Grk in non-sandy soil and also outside of Lumbarda. Only a handful of producers work with this grape and wines are highly sought-after, which means they sell out quickly year after year.

Lumbarda, Korčula Island

This grape produces wines with distinct salinity and tartness that begs to marry a shellfish. It also expresses flavors of citrus and stone fruit, with a rich and textured mouthfeel – imagine Chardonnay meets Loire Sauvignon Blanc.

For many years, Bire has been the leader of the pack when it comes to Grk. Bire wines are spectacular and difficult to get. They are still the foremost producer of this grape on Korčula, but recently a new kid on the block has emerged.

Zure Quinta Essentia Pjenušac Grk NV

Available at wineandmore.com

Zure is operated by father and sons team, Bartul Batistić Zure and brothers Marko and Ivan Batistić Zure. The family has the largest vineyard holdings on Korčula island. This is a producer of constant development and many interesting stories to tell. First, the Zure bottles sport intriguing, artistic labels painted by renowned Lumbarda’s artist Stipe Nobilo. Second, they have planted Grk on different soil types and debunked the fact that Grk can thrive only on sand. Third, they are the first to produce a sparkling wine and a Prošek made from Grk. Fourth, they provide a full-fledged agrotourism experience with accommodation, restaurant, and domestic food.

The Zure Quinta Essentia Pjeušac Grk is the first ever sparkling wine made from Grk. It pulls no punches. It’s a brilliant effort with baked apple, biscuit, and citrus notes. The wine really tastes like a salty Blanc de Blancs Champagne. The wine doesn’t have searing acidity like Champagne but there is enough to keep the wine crispy.

The phenolics, acidity, and autolytic charm are in good balance. What’s striking here is the varietal advantages of Grk that shine right through: broad frame, expressive palate, ripe fruit flavors, acidic spine, and saline overtone. This is yet another Grk that will leave no one feeling indifferent. A whopper!

4.3/5 (You can find out more about our scoring system on the START HERE page.)

The finest selection of

Croatian wines available at:

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Check out Croatian Wines Available in the USA.

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

    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!

Disclosure: The ideas expressed in this article are personal opinions and are not associated with any sponsors or business promotions.

The post Zure Quinta Essentia Pjenušac Grk appeared first on Wine Travel.

The magical pairing of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Coveted around the world and present in nearly every winemaking country. The two grapes hail from Bordeaux, France and are celebrated by wine lovers the world over. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot just work well together in wine, it’s a synergy comparable to peanut butter and jelly.

Many of the countries in Eastern Europe were in the communist or socialist systems until about twenty years ago. When private wineries started popping up in these countries, many were quick to plant Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc.

Croatia is no exception to that rule. However, the country does have a plethora of indigenous grapes, mitigating the need for international varieties compared to neighboring countries. Several producers still opt to make Bordeaux blends. Much of them are uninspiring, some of them are meh, and a handful are outstanding.

Croatian Bordeaux Blends

There are four main wine regions in Croatia: Istria & Kvarner, Dalmatia, The Uplands, and Slavonia & The Danube. The first two regions are on the coast of the Adriatic Sea and have a Mediterranean climate while the later two are inland and experience a continental climate. Producers are ambitious and there are examples of solid Bordeaux blends in every region.

For now, the area best suited for red wines in Croatia is Dalmatia and Istria & Kvarner. There are an increasing number of very good Bordeaux blends coming out of Slavonia & The Danube with every passing vintage. Baranja, which is on the Danube river and near the border with Hungary shows a lot of promise.

Many wine geeks scoff at international grapes grown in new or emerging wine regions. We used to be in the same camp but have softened our stance dramatically. These wines have a place and ignoring them would be ignoring a major tenet in Croatia’s wine scene.

These are our nine favorite Croatian Bordeaux blends. We have tasted several vintages of these wines when possible. For people who visit the country and want a taste of something familiar, you won’t go wrong with these wines.

Exotic Wine Travel’s Picks:

• Baraka, Prisbus Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2013 – Dalmatia

A fairly new producer on the scene. Filip Baraka and his father have small holdings of vineyards near Šibenik. This wine was aged for 14-16 months in new French Oak. Full of charred wood, black cherry, cassis, capsicum, and graphite flavors. The wood comes on strong and may be too heavy for some but it is well integrated. Medium bodied Bordeaux blend that is plush in the mouth and has a long finish guided by fine tannins. Really pleasant with low alcohol at 12% ABV.    

• Bibich, Aleph 2010 – Dalmatia

A blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Merlot. This is the top wine from Bibich. The 2010 is the first harvest from a vineyard that Alen Bibich planted in the early 2000’s. A Bordeaux blend that spends 24 months in French oak. Dark and concentrated with dark fruit, red plum, cedar, olive, and capsicum. This is fruit forward and rich with soft tannins and a chocolate, leather finish.  

Available at wineandmore.com

• Boškinac, Cuvée 2013 – Istria & Kvarner

Boškinac hotel and restaurant is one of the most celebrated culinary establishments in Croatia. Boris Šuljić is the head chef and winemaker. Full of sour cherry, blackberry, sweet tobacco, and earth. The wood is present but not over pronounced. Long finish and nice minerality, it smells and tastes like a warmer weather red wine. The 2007 vintage of this wine is spectacular but not available on the market.  

Available at wineandmore.com

• Coronica Grabar 2012 – Istria & Kvarner

Moreno Coronica is a master of Teran and Malvazija in Istria. His Bordeaux blend is no slouch as well. A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot. This spent two years in Slavonian Oak. Full of rich plum, cherry, cedar, capsicum, leather, and earth. Fruit forward and delicious with medium weight on the palate.  

Available at wineandmore.com

• G&J Vina, Tvoja Krv i Moja 2013 – Dalmatia

A blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Translates to “Your Blood and Mine.” Made by a Croatian couple that spent many of their years in Monte Carlo, where they fell in love with French wines. This wine is unfined and unfiltered like we like it. Dark fruit, graphite, perfume, and earthy notes. Long and persistent finish. A well-balanced Bordeaux blend with Mediterranean ripe fruit and earthy characteristics that are not common amongst Croatian Bordeaux blends.  

Available at wineandmore.com

• Krauthaker, Mercs 2012 – Slavonia & The Danube

Vlado Krauthaker is perhaps the most celebrated and successful winemaker in Croatia. He experiments like a mad scientist and produces a large portfolio of wines. This is a blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. A red wine that was aged for 24 months in Slavonian oak. It has violets, red cherry, cassis, cedar, and pencil lead. It has medium weight and a touch of sweet tobacco on the spicy finish. The tannins are round and ripe. We have tasted three vintages of Mercs and the 2012 stands out.   

Find and buy at wineandmore.com

• Legovina Cuvée Noir 2009 – Istria & Kvarner

Legovina is quietly producing excellent red wines in Istria. Their Chinon-like Cabernet Franc along with the Teran are good wines but the Cuvée Noir takes it up one notch. It’s a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc aged 72 months in oak. Full of chocolate, earth, sweet tobacco, and black cherry flavors. The wine is dense and well structured with a touch of graphite on the palate. It really tastes like a terroir-driven, ripe Bordeaux. 

• Meneghetti, Red 2011 – Istria & Kvarner

Meneghetti has a luxury hotel and restaurant in addition to their winery in Istria. This is their cru wine. A blend of 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Cabernet Franc. We’ve been tough on other vintages of this wine but the 2011 is something special. Pronounced earth, graphite, and mineral notes. The fruit here is ripe, but not overripe and the acidity guides a long finish. This has potential to age further in the bottle. 

Available at wineandmore.com

• Petrač, 999 2012 – The Uplands

Petrač makes a Bordeaux blend called Karizma. It is readily available in Zagreb and is a leafier, earthier red wine. The Karizma is a well-made, accessible wine but their 999 is something special.

The Petrač 999 is the estate’s reserve wine and made in limited quantities, 999 bottles to be exact. Made from selected Cabernet Sauvignon grapes that were aged for 42 months in French oak. Dark in color. Full of oak but nicely toasted oak. It’s got a lot of makeup on but there is very good juice underneath. Dark cherry, capsicum, greens, graphite, and forest notes. This has a nice mixture of earth and fruit. Round on the palate with firm tannins and a long, tight finish. The most ‘Bordeaux’ tasting of the Bordeaux blends in Croatia. Good stuff at only 13.5% ABV.   

Find and buy Petrač wines at wineandmore.com

The finest selection of

Croatian wines available at:

Shipping is available EU-wide and to the UK.

Check out Croatian Wines Available in the USA.

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

    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!

Disclosure:
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 Croatian Wine: Nine Top Bordeaux Blends 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!

Somewhere between a long journey from Vis Island to Zagreb, we stopped in Zadar and visited G&J vina. We had enjoyed their 2012 and 2013 vintages prior to the visit. The wines left such an impression that we wanted to witness with our own eyes the magic behind them.

G&J Vina Tvoja krv i moja 

€24.99 | EU-wide Delivery | Shop Here

“We believe in miracles,” says Gino Matulić, the winemaker and founder of G&J Vina.

From the moment we meet Gino, it’s clear to us why we enjoy his wines.

Gino is Croatian and spent many years sailing in Monte Carlo, where he developed an affinity for French wines. When he returned to his homeland, he had never made wine before but wanted to produce something similar to the great wines of France. From there, the brainchild was conceived.

G&J Vina is a small two-person outfit and a garage winery. His partner’s name is Jadranka Svaguša, and she is the “J” in G&J Vina. Both of them are romantics in every sense of the word. Lovers of art, adventure, growth, intention, passion, and travel, all that packed in a bag of patience—their life philosophy permeates their wine, which is quickly becoming one of Croatia’s most sought-after labels. 

Currently, G&J makes only one wine: a Bordeaux-style red called “Tvoja krv i moja”, which translates to “Your Blood and Mine”. The blend is Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with grapes from the vineyards located near the town of Benkovac. The wine is matured in French oak for 18 months before bottling.

 

Getting a preview of what will become G&J (Zadar, Croatia) 2015 release: the very first time that Cabernet Franc is added to the Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot blend. You can hear the soothing music playing in the background. When the proprietor or winemaker is a true romantic, the personality often penetrated into the feel of the cellar.

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All the vintages of this wine are characterized by intense flavors of ripe fruit and graphite—the characteristics we love about a good Bordeaux blend. Gino gives us a taste of 2015 from the barrel, which will be the first vintage to have Cabernet Franc blended into it. The additional splash of Cabernet Franc imparts such an enormous floral lift to the wine that we’re inclined to believe 2015 will be the best vintage yet, but we’ll have to wait at least two more years before it’s released. The current vintage on the market is 2013.

G&J’s annual production is 6,000 bottles and it’s slowly increasing—though not quick enough to satisfy the voracious demand. This wine is fast becoming a cult wine in Croatia and becoming harder to procure. In our opinion, it is one of the top three Croatian Bordeaux blends. G&J is a young winery that shows promise, especially when they are single-mindedly working on perfecting just one wine. We look forward to witnessing its continued success.

 

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The G&J Vina Tvoja krv i moja Cabernet Sauvignon + Merlot 2009 is the first vintage of the winery.

It has a deep red hue and a tawny rim. The flavors are dominated by bacon fat, black cherry, graphite, and violet. It’s rich on the palate with a bright lift from the acidic spine. The developed tannins lead the flavors into a lingering finish. The mouthfeel is quite Pomerol in style, with its sensuous textures and soft tannins. But the flavor profile and balance are probably more Saint-Julien-like.

The wine is drinking well now but has yet to approach the peak window. It’s showing a fair amount of oak flavors, which can benefit from a few more years of aging.

The 2016 vintage of G&J Vina Tvoja krv i moja is available at Wine&more; delivery is available to addresses in the EU, UK and USA.

4.4/5 (You can find out more about our scoring system on the START HERE page.)

The finest selection of

Croatian wines

available at:

Shipping is available EU-wide and to the UK.

Check out Croatian Wines Available in the USA.

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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!

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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!

Disclosure: 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 G&J Vina Tvoja krv i moja: Croatian Bordeaux Blend appeared first on Wine Travel.

Welcome to As Drunk By Exotic Wine Travel, a weekly column where we feature wines that are worthy of your attention. The wine reviews featured in this series may be written by either one or the both of us. The featured wines can be from obscure or more well-known wine regions. Sit back, grab a glass, and discover new and exciting wines with us!

Bibich Debit 2015

€10.99 | EU-wide, UK and US Delivery | Shop Here

In the Spring of 2015, we had a memorable tasting lunch in Plastovo, Croatia. Plastovo is a tiny village just north of Split. The village is home to one of the most famous winemakers in all of Croatia, Mr. Alen Bibić. We targeted the winery as a high priority in preparation for our upcoming Croatian wine guide.

Prior to our visit, we had seen Bibich wines in America. In fact, over half of the winery’s production is exported to the USA. That wasn’t the real reason we made a lunch appointment though. What compelled us to pay the winery a visit was a scene in an episode of the now discontinued No Reservations.

In the episode about Coastal Croatia, Anthony Bourdain is enamored by the food and wine at Bibich winery. At the end of the episode, he stands up and having drunk too much wine, falls over and passes out.

Would we suffer the same fate as Anthony Bourdain during our visit?

We entered the winery and opted to sit outside. It was the perfect weather with a fresh breeze coming in. Plastovo is at about 200 meters in elevation and the Adriatic Sea is 10 kilometers away. This aids in creating a great climate for viticulture.

Bibich winery does a tasting lunch and dinner during the tourist season. Alen’s wife Vesna is a trained chef. The food is molecular cuisine and is designed to enhance the quality of the wine. We’ve been to many wine-pairing dinners in the past but this one was distinctly different. “The food is prepared for the wine, to make the wine taste better,” Alen told us.

 

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Charine was skeptical at first as she isn’t a big fan of molecular cuisine. As the plates rolled in one after another (you can scroll through the dishes in the Instagram post above), there was no denying it. Every dish had subtly intense flavors that enhanced the wine. Textures and flavor combinations are something that must be deliberately thought out for the tasting meals at Bibich.

The winery was very gracious at the tasting lunch. It was scheduled to be five courses but ended up being nine courses and 13 wines. We got a chance to sample a few of Alen’s small production wines including the Bibich Bas de Bas Crno  and Bibch Aleph. Bibich Bas de Bas Crno is a rich, single-vineyard wine made from Syrah and Merlot. The Aleph is an excellent Bordeaux blend made in good years with a hefty price tag to boot.

After the tasting lunch, we stepped into the tasting room. Alen opened up a few wines that we didn’t taste during lunch, including his La Sin. It’s one of the few varietal wines in Croatia made from the Lasina grape.

The lunch and tasting stretched out over three and a half hours. In other words, we sampled a ton of wine. We did make it out in better shape than Anthony Bourdain though.

The wines that left the deepest impression on me were the ones made from the grape Debit. They aren’t Bibich’s finest wines but are unique and full of character. Debit is a Croatian grape. Folklore says that peasants paid off soldiers with wines made of Debit during the Napoleonic Wars.

Alen specializes in Debit and is one of only a handful of producers working with it. In fact, it’s the wine that he himself drinks the most of. Alen makes several different versions of Debit including a sparkling wine, a single-vineyard version, an amber wine, and this entry-level offering.

This wine is pure fun. It is full of tangerine, flint, and caramel flavors. The acidity is crisp and the wine has a grapefruit finish. Its clean flavors are a perfect complement to seafood. I still don’t understand why more producers don’t work with this grape. With the warm weather and abundance of seafood on the Croatia coast, wines like this seem like a no-brainer. 

4.1/5 (You can find out more about our scoring system on the START HERE page.)

 

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I’m ecstatic that we made it through the tasting lunch alive as you can see.

You May Also Enjoy

The finest selection of

Croatian wines

available at:

Shipping is available EU-wide and to the UK.

Check out Croatian Wines Available in the USA.

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

    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!

Disclosure:
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. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase the items via the links we provide.

The post Bibich Debit 2015 appeared first on Wine Travel.